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

Chapter 114 Spring Festival and Movie Viewing

Winters in Goyang are colder than in Seoul.

Carrying large bags of New Year's goods, Kang Jae-hoon followed Lee Sung-kyung into an old three-story residential building. The hallway was filled with the smell of kimchi and soybean paste soup, and various small advertisements for unclogging drains were pasted on the mottled walls.

"arrive."

Lee Sung-kyung stopped in front of room 302, her hand pausing slightly as she took out her keys.

This apartment building, built in the 90s, was the first "decent" place she rented after her family's financial situation improved.

Before that——

Winter of 1994.

When five-year-old Lee Sung-kyung was awakened by thick smoke, her father's clothing factory was already engulfed in flames.

A fire caused by aging electrical circuits in the factory not only destroyed all the inventory but also shattered the father's entrepreneurial dream. The insurance company refused to pay compensation, citing "human negligence," while suppliers demanding payment blocked his doorstep.

Overnight, the whole family moved into a tin-roofed house in the shantytown.

In summer, it's as hot and humid as a steamer; in winter, the cold wind seeps in through the cracks.

Lee Sung-kyung huddled under a thin blanket, listening to her parents arguing in hushed tones, and for the first time understood the weight of "poverty".

When I was seven years old.

The father finally found a stable delivery job, and the whole family moved into a semi-basement.

The dark and damp environment always made Lee Sung-kyung's school uniform smell musty, and the disgusted looks from her classmates became one of her earliest childhood memories.

In junior high school, this deep-seated inferiority complex caused her to build high walls around herself, arming herself with indifference and a sharp tongue.

During PE class, he hid in a corner alone to read a book;
I'd rather go hungry than go to the cafeteria during lunchtime;
He goes straight home after school and never attends any parties.

This continued until high school, when she was scouted and became a model.

Despite a slight improvement in the economic situation.

But the deep-seated insecurity never disappeared.

Until I met Kang Jae-hoon—

It was late autumn of 2008. She had just finished a failed modeling audition. Her wallet had been stolen on the bus, and she was squatting in front of a convenience store, starving and bewildered.

"Want to eat together?"

A gentle male voice came from above.

Lee Sung-kyung looked up and saw a tall boy standing backlit, holding two discounted seaweed rice rolls in his hand.

"Need not."

She instinctively refused.

"Buy one get one free, I can't finish it all by myself."

The boy scratched his head, his smile as bright as the autumn sun: "Just consider it doing me a favor?"

She later found out that the boy named Jiang Zai Xun lived upstairs from her.

Later, the landlord raised the rent, and the two became roommates.

Five years have passed.

That poor kid who even had to buy discounted seaweed rice rolls is now a hot new actor. And I, who used to be prickly, have learned to care for others.

"Why are you dazed?"

Jiang Zai Xun gently nudged her with his shoulder, the heavy bag of New Year's goods in his hand rustling loudly.

Lee Sung-kyung shook her head, turned the key, and pushed open the door—

"Mom, I'm back."

No sooner had he finished speaking than hurried footsteps echoed from the kitchen.

Li's mother rushed out wearing an apron, her hands still covered in chili powder:
"Holy crap, our Bible has finally decided to come home!"

She hugged her daughter tightly, but her gaze fell on Kang Jae-hoon behind her.
"Who is this……"

"Hello, Auntie, my name is Jiang Zaixun."

Kang Jae-hoon bowed respectfully to Lee's mother at a ninety-degree angle.

"Oh mo!"

Li's mother's eyes lit up: "Isn't this the one from TV..."

"roommate."

Lee Sung-kyung spoke first, taking the bag from Kang Jae-hoon's hand:
"There's not many people at his home, so I brought him back for a meal."

"Good good!"

Mrs. Lee beamed with joy and warmly pulled Kang Jae-hoon toward the living room:
"I just made rice cake soup, you guys go wash your hands first!"

in the living room.

Mr. Li was sitting at a low table reading a newspaper when he saw them come in. He immediately put down the newspaper and stood up to greet them.

"Hello, uncle."

Kang Jae-hoon bowed again and presented the gift he had brought with both hands.

Mr. Li took the gift, examined it for a moment, and then gave Li Shengjing a meaningful look:
"roommate?"

"I'll go help Mom."

Lee Sung-kyung's cheeks flushed, and she turned and walked towards the kitchen.

The living room fell silent for a moment.

Kang Jae-hoon sat upright, his hands neatly placed on his knees.

Mr. Li slowly opened the box of ginseng, then picked up the red wine and examined it closely:
"This wine must be expensive."

"fine."

What kind of work do you do?

"actor."

Kang Jae-hoon answered honestly.

What roles have you played?

"A supporting actor in an SBS Wednesday-Thursday drama, currently preparing for a new project."

"..."

A brief silence fell over the living room.

Mr. Li stared at the red wine in his hand, his eyes narrowed, as if he were recalling something.

Kang Jae-hoon sat upright, his palms slightly sweaty.

A delicious aroma wafted from the kitchen, and the clatter of spatulas and the mother and daughter's hushed conversation were the only background noises.

"An actor..."

Mr. Li finally spoke, his voice low and deep:

"Is it hard?"

Kang Jae-hoon paused for a moment: "It's okay, it's just that my schedule isn't very regular when I'm busy."

"Ah."

There was another moment of silence.

Kang Jae-hoon secretly glanced towards the kitchen, hoping that Lee Sung-kyung could come out and save the day quickly.

"dad!"

Lee Sung-kyung came out carrying a kimchi pancake, and couldn't help but roll her eyes when she saw the two of them sitting stiffly.
Are you performing a silent film?

"What nonsense."

Mr. Li coughed lightly and got up to help set the table.

Kang Jae-hoon immediately got up to help.

The dining table was soon filled with a sumptuous New Year's Eve dinner—

Steaming hot rice cake soup, golden and crispy pancakes, spicy stir-fried pork, perfectly marinated kimchi...

Although it wasn't a lavish meal, every dish exuded the warmth of home.

Mr. Li suddenly spoke up:
Does Jae-hoon drink?

"Will do."

Kang Jae-hoon immediately took the soju bottle with both hands, respectfully poured a full glass for Lee's father, and then poured one for himself.

"Happy New Year."

He held the glass with both hands, deliberately making sure the rim was lower than the elder's glass, then turned around and drank it all in one gulp.

"Drink less alcohol and eat more food."

Li's mother enthusiastically piled food into Jiang Zaixun's bowl, quickly creating a small mountain.

"Thank you, aunt."

"Our family's Bible has probably troubled you quite a bit, hasn't it?" Mrs. Li asked with a smile.

"Nothing."

Kang Jae-hoon quickly put down his chopsticks and explained, "I usually get the best care of the Bible."

Li's mother looked at her daughter suspiciously:
"she?"

"Yes, the Bible will send me aloe vera gel when I get sunburned while filming..."

"Expired."

Lee Sung-kyung muttered to herself.

"Oh?"

Mrs. Li became interested: "Anything else?"

"They'll help me apply skin-brightening serum..."

"Test for allergic reactions to new products."

"The Bible also..."

Lee Sung-kyung stomped her foot hard under the table: "Eat your food!"

"..."

Li's mother and father exchanged a meaningful glance.

"So the Bible is really good at taking care of people?"

Li's mother looked at her daughter with a smile: "Why haven't I seen you at home..."

That's because of him—

Lee Sung-kyung suddenly looked up and met Kang Jae-hoon's furtive glance, but swallowed the words she was about to say:
"...Never mind, let's eat."
-
Midnight is approaching.

The only sound in the living room was the New Year's countdown from the television.

Mr. Li had already gone back to his room to rest due to the effects of the alcohol, and Mrs. Li also considerately gave him space, only reminding him, "You young people stay up all night," before returning to her bedroom.

Only Kang Jae-hoon and Lee Sung-kyung remained in the living room, sitting side by side on the sofa.

The blue light from the television screen shone on their faces, and the occasional sound of firecrackers could be heard outside the window.

"10, 9, 8"

The TV presenter began the countdown.

"The Bible."

"what?"

"Thank you for taking me home."

"...Don't flatter yourself, I'm just afraid you'll starve to death in the apartment."

"That's it"

On television, the hosts began counting down: "Five, four, three..."

Lee Sung-kyung suddenly turned to look at him: "What's your New Year's wish?"

"Ok?"

"Hurry up, the countdown is almost over."

Looking into her eyes, which were reflecting the fluorescent light, Kang Jae-hoon said as if possessed, "I hope we can spend the New Year together with the Bible next year."

"..." Two, one! Happy New Year!

Cheers erupted from the television.

"boom--"

Fireworks suddenly exploded in the distance, their dazzling light illuminating the entire living room through the windows.

In that colorful light.

Kang Jae-hoon saw the smile reflected in Lee Sung-kyung's eyes.

My phone suddenly vibrated in my pocket.

He instinctively reached out to touch it, but stopped the moment he touched the phone—

You know who it is without looking.

Krystal Jung posted on Kakao last night, saying she would be the first to send him New Year's greetings at midnight.

Lee Sung-kyung glanced at his subtle movements, then stood up nonchalantly:

"I'll go make your bed."

"I can do it myself."

"Cut the nonsense."

Lee Sung-kyung took out bedding from the closet and quickly spread it out on the living room floor.

Kang Jae-hoon stood to the side, his phone still vibrating.

"No?"

Lee Sung-kyung straightened the blankets without looking up, her tone so calm that no emotion could be discerned.

Kang Jae-hoon put his phone on silent:

"It's nothing important."

"Oh."

Lee Sung-kyung slammed the pillow heavily onto the mattress:
"Sleep still, don't kick off the covers."

After saying that, he turned around and was about to go back to his room.

"Bible."

Kang Jae-hoon suddenly called out to her.

"what?"

"Want to go see the teacher's new movie together tomorrow?"

Lee Sung-kyung paused for a moment, then turned her back to Kang Jae-hoon and softly hummed in agreement.
"What time is it?"

"The one at 3 PM?"

Kang Jae-hoon asked tentatively.

"understood."

Lee Sung-kyung waved her hand without turning her head:
"Good night."

After the door closed gently, Kang Jae-hoon took out his phone.

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

[Krystal Jung]: Am I the first one to send you my blessings?

[Krystal Jung]: Why aren't you replying to me? TT
Kang Jae-hoon stared at the screen for a few seconds, then quickly replied:

Happy New Year! I was keeping vigil with my elders and didn't check my phone.

The video call request popped up as soon as the message was sent.

Kang Jae-hoon hurriedly hung up and switched to a voice call.

Why won't you answer the video call?

Krystal Jung's voice came through the receiver, carrying obvious dissatisfaction.

"It's too late, I'm afraid it will disturb your parents' rest."

"Oh……"

Krystal Jung paused for a moment: "So where are you now?"

"living room."

"What about her?"

"I'm going back to my room to sleep."

There was silence on the other end of the phone for a few seconds.

"Oppa."

Krystal Jung's voice suddenly lowered: "I miss you."

Kang Jae-hoon glanced subconsciously at the closed bedroom door and lowered his voice, "Yeah, me too."

"Really?"

"real."

"Then when will you come back?"

"Third year of junior high school."

"How about we go see a movie together in the third year of junior high?"

Krystal Jung's voice carried a hint of anticipation.

Jiang Zai Xun thought about the schedule for the third day of junior high school and hesitated before saying, "...I'll try my best."

"As much as possible?"

Krystal's tone immediately turned cold: "Oppa, do you not want to come?"

"No, it's just..."

"never mind."

Krystal interrupted him: "Oppa, spend time with your family."

She deliberately emphasized the word "family," as if she were gritting her teeth.

The phone was suddenly hung up.

Kang Jae-hoon stared at the darkened screen and sighed helplessly.

The door to the second bedroom suddenly opened a crack.

Lee Sung-kyung came out carrying a blanket and tossed it to him expressionlessly.

"It's cold in the living room, don't catch a cold."

Kang Jae-hoon caught the blanket.

Her warmth and scent still lingered on it.

"Thank you."

"Good night."

The door closed again.

Kang Jae-hoon lay on the made-up bedding, staring blankly at the ceiling.

The phone screen lit up again at that moment—

[Krystal Jung]: I'm sorry, I was too willful just now.

[Jung Soo-jung]: Oppa, don't force yourself, work is important.

Outside the window, New Year's fireworks continued to bloom.

Colorful light streamed through the window, casting ever-changing shadows on the floor.

As Jiang Zaihun gazed at the ever-changing spots of light, he realized for the first time clearly—

I am standing at a delicate balance point, and the slightest misstep could plunge me into the abyss.

The next morning.

Li's mother was busy preparing breakfast in the kitchen, the sound of spatulas clattering and eggs sizzling as they fried.

Good morning, Auntie.

Kang Jae-hoon rubbed his eyes as he walked into the kitchen, a few strands of his hair still sticking up.

"Hey, why are you up so early?"

Mother Li turned around and smiled, "Don't you want to sleep a little longer?"

"I'm used to it; I usually get up at this time."

Kang Jae-hoon took the initiative to take the bowls and chopsticks and help set the table.

Mr. Li came out of the bedroom and raised an eyebrow when he saw this scene: "Quite diligent."

"It should."

Kang Jae-hoon respectfully handed over the hot tea. Lee's father took it, sipped it, and suddenly asked:

"Did you sleep well last night?"

"Very good, thank you for your concern, Uncle."

In fact, he hardly slept at all.

Krystal Jung sent another message at 3 a.m. saying she dreamed about him.

Lee Sung-kyung stepped on his hand when she got up to drink water in the middle of the night, and the two stared at each other awkwardly for three seconds in the dark.

The upstairs neighbor's dog barked half the night...

Where is the Bible?

Mrs. Li glanced towards the bedroom: "Not up yet?"

Kang Jae-hoon glanced at the wall clock—7:30.

According to Lee Sung-kyung's schedule, she should have already returned from her morning run by now.

(Was it the comforting environment at home that made her feel safe, allowing her to sleep in late for the first time in a long time?)
(still.)

He recalled those bright eyes in the darkness last night, and the moment he froze when they stepped on his hand.

(Could it be...?)
(She's having trouble sleeping too?)
"I'll go call her."

Kang Jae-hoon put down his chopsticks and tiptoed to Lee Sung-kyung's door.

"Bible?"

He knocked gently on the door: "Get up."

no respond.

Kang Jae-hoon raised his voice slightly and shouted it again.

A rustling sound came from the room.

Then came a muffled thud, like a pillow hitting the door.

"roll."

Lee Sung-kyung's hoarse voice, heavy with sleepiness and dissatisfaction, came through the door.

He turned back to the dining table and met Li's mother's probing gaze:
"The Bible says to sleep a little longer."

"This child..."

Li's mother shook her head helplessly: "He reveals his true colors at home."

Breakfast was very simple.

Rice, fried egg, miso soup, and a few small silver fish.

Kang Jae-hoon ate with great relish and even had two more bowls of rice.

"Eat slowly."

Li's mother smiled and served him another bowl of soup:
"What do you want to eat for lunch? I'll go to the market to buy it."

"No need to trouble you, Auntie."

Kang Jae-hoon put down his chopsticks:
"We're going to see a movie this afternoon, so we'll just eat out."

No sooner had he finished speaking than the door to the second bedroom suddenly opened.

With her hair all messy and eyes half-closed, Lee Sung-kyung walked straight to the dining table, picked up the teacup in front of Kang Jae-hoon, and drank it all in one gulp.

"That's me..."

Jiang Zai Xun was halfway through his sentence when he met her threatening gaze, and immediately changed his words: "...It was poured especially for you."

Lee Sung-kyung gave a soft hum and pulled out a chair to sit down.

Kang Jae-hoon unconsciously glanced at it a couple more times—

This relaxed and casual Bible is completely different from the meticulous model she usually is.

What movie are you going to see later?

“I had a cameo role in ‘When Men Fall in Love’.”

Kang Jae-hoon explained.

Mrs. Lee looked at her daughter and then at Jiang Zaixun, hesitating to speak.

Lee Sung-kyung suddenly spoke up:
"It's just contributing two tickets to the box office."

"I didn't say anything."

Li's mother blinked innocently.

"..."

Half past two in the afternoon.

CGV Cinema in downtown Gaoyang.

During the Spring Festival holiday, cinemas were packed with people.

Kang Jae-hoon and Lee Sung-kyung, wearing masks and baseball caps, walked into the hall side by side.

The poster for "When a Man Falls in Love" was squeezed into a corner, while the huge promotional poster for "Miss Granny" occupied the most prominent position.

Kang Jae-hoon glanced at the electronic film schedule—

"Miss Granny" has a screening almost every half hour, while "When a Man Falls in Love" only gets a pitiful 9% of screenings per day, and most of them are scheduled during non-prime time slots.

Since its release on January 22, "When a Man Falls in Love" has attracted an impressive 144 million viewers in its first week.

However, the Spring Festival film season has always been dominated by family comedies.

With its heartwarming and humorous storyline, "Miss Granny" quickly captured over 70% of family viewers.

"Two copies of 'When a Man Falls in Love,' thank you."

The ticket seller looked up and glanced at the strange pair of people wearing masks:
"Hall 3, you can enter now."

After taking the ticket stubs, the two headed straight for the ticket gate.

There were fewer than twenty people scattered around the screening room, mostly couples.

The two chose to sit in a corner seat in the back row.

The lights dimmed, and the screen lit up—

Hwang Jung-min's portrayal of a loan shark collector elicited a few chuckles upon his first appearance.

When he awkwardly pursues the bank employee played by Han Hye-jin, the raw sincerity he conveys makes the audience chuckle.

He was supposed to be helping Han Hye-jin deal with her debts, but because he had no experience interacting with women, he ended up becoming a chatty genius.

While others go on romantic dates, he goes on dates discussing kidney transplants.

Han Tae-il, played by Hwang Jung-min, made a series of fatal remarks that made Joo Ho-jung, played by Han Hye-jin, so angry that her eyes widened.

Not only did he not realize it at all, but he also complained that the other party did not understand his good intentions.

Inside the screening room.

As Kang Jae-hoon watched this scene, he felt a strange sense of familiarity—

(That expression...)
(It seems like back on the set of "The Heirs," when he mentioned Lee Sung-kyung in front of Krystal Jung, she looked like this too?)

He subconsciously turned to look at Lee Sung-kyung beside him.

In the dimly lit screening room, the light from the screen cast shifting shadows on her profile.

(so……)
Kang Jae-hoon suddenly realized how foolish he had been with all his previous remarks.

Lee Sung-kyung turned her head as if sensing something, and her eyes met Kang Jae-hoon's.

"what happened?"

Kang Jae-hoon suddenly came to his senses:

"No, it's just a feeling..."

"what?"

"The Bible is better than Han Huizhen's."

"..."

"It's true, the Bible is a beauty that makes you want to keep reading."

The screen light reflected in Lee Sung-kyung's suddenly widened eyes, and she quickly turned her head away:

"Pab, focus on the movie."

Kang Jae-hoon turned back awkwardly.

In reality, those who fawn over their idols often end up with nothing.

But it's hard to say in the movie.

On the screen.

Han Taiyi's clumsy yet sincere pursuit is gradually melting the walls Zhou Haoting has built around her heart.

—The first time they ate together, Zhou Haoting had a cold face and wouldn't touch the food Han Taiyi put on her plate. But now, although she still has a stern face, she silently eats the steamed buns he puts on her plate.

—The scene of their walks has changed from one in front of the other to walking side by side. Zhou Haoting even smiles slightly when Han Taiyi tells a joke.

The most obvious change occurred during their supermarket shopping scene. Before, when Han Taiyi wanted to buy her something, Zhou Haoting would always refuse. Now, however, she would take out her wallet herself and argue with Han Taiyi at the checkout counter about paying.

Different attitudes in the same scene.

Kang Jae-hoon watched with great interest, and the corners of his mouth unconsciously turned up.

This kind of plot twist, from initial confrontation to gradual development of feelings, always has a unique charm.

The rest of the plot follows the traditional formula of romantic dramas:
The male and female leads misunderstand each other → their relationship takes a sharp turn for the worse → the misunderstanding is resolved → they shower each other with sweetness.

Normally, a romance movie at this point in its plot would either end or something would happen.

This film is clearly the latter.

After officially becoming lovers, Zhou Haoting demanded that Han Taiyi change careers—

I want to open my own fried chicken shop.

Han Taiyi was moved by the future described by Zhou Haoting and decided to resign from his job.

The next scene focuses on terminal illness, one of the three treasures of Korean dramas.

The good days are just around the corner.

As a result, the doctor told Han Taiyi that he had a terminal illness and would not live much longer.

This kind of impact might have caused someone with a weaker mental fortitude to break down.

But Han Taiyi is clearly not an ordinary person.

His first thought was how to use his limited time to ensure Zhou Haoting's future security.

Just then, the loan shark boss asked him to do one last job at a shady casino.

So, under the other party's persuasion...

Han Taiyi contributed all his savings, including the female lead's savings from opening her shop, to the estate.

then.

A series of montage shots flashed quickly across the screen—

Han Taiyi was pinned to a gambling table in a casino, blood spilling from the corner of his mouth;
Zhou Haoting paced anxiously in front of the real estate agency.

Kang Jae-hoon, playing a real estate agent, poured tea for both sides with a beaming smile.

Han Taiyi forcefully tackled a masked man to the ground;

Zhou Haoting's knuckles turned white as she gripped the purchase contract.

These images flashed alternately at 0.5-second intervals, finally settling on Han Taiyi's bloodied and unconscious face.

"Were you the one who poured the tea just now?"

Lee Sung-kyung's hushed voice came from beside her.

Kang Jae-hoon stared at the screen, which had switched to a wide shot, and nodded somewhat uncertainly:
"should be"

The editing technique used in that clip was too sharp.

His cameo appearance was fragmented into three 0.3-second segments interspersed within intense conflict scenes.

Even Kang Jae-hoon himself almost missed it.

Lee Sung-kyung gave a meaningful "Oh":
"So this is what you experienced as a key cameo role as a real estate agent for a month?"

"At least they finished their lines..."

"What line?"

What is the first part of the sentence, "This apartment has excellent natural light"?

"puff……"

After this scene.

The tear-jerking moment then follows.

There is a key element to becoming a high-quality actor—

Empathy.

Even though Kang Jae-hoon knew the plot and the ending.

But seeing the long shot of Hwang Jung-min and Han Hye-jin crying uncontrollably, I couldn't help but shed tears myself.

The two actors' crying scene was very moving.

When Kang Jae-hoon took the tissue from Lee Sung-kyung, he noticed that her eyes were also red.

"The wind is too strong."

Lee Sung-kyung sought to mend her ways.

Where did the wind come from in the screening room?

But Kang Jae-hoon wisely didn't expose him.

……

When the end credits song plays.

Kang Jae-hoon then realized that he had already used a whole pack of tissues.

He quietly turned his head and saw Lee Sung-kyung tilting her head back, trying to hold back her tears—

It turns out that even someone as proud and arrogant as her has to find an excuse like "the wind is too strong" to cry.

(End of this chapter)