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

Chapter 116 Filming Begins and the Villain Makes His First Appearance
2 month 10 day.

Busan Gwangalli Used Car Market.

8am.

The crew of "Veteran" quietly started filming.

There were no media interviews, no fans watching, and even the opening ceremony was simplified to a simple worship ceremony with only the main creators participating.

Kang Jae-hoon stood outside the film set wrapped in a thick down jacket, his breath condensing rapidly in the cold wind.

The crew was busy setting up the set for the first scene. The assistant director paced back and forth with a walkie-talkie. The script supervisor checked the shooting schedule in a corner.

Actually, according to the filming plan...

Kang Jae-hoon's scenes as Jo Tae-oh will be filmed in Seoul in two weeks.

therefore.

According to common sense.

A newcomer actor who has just gained some popularity with "The Heirs" should be busy running around doing promotional appearances, signing endorsements, and appearing on variety shows right now.

Maximize commercial value by capitalizing on the hype.

But he still showed up at the filming location on time.

There's nothing special about it except dedication.

(You need to familiarize yourself with the shooting atmosphere beforehand.)
(Observe Hwang Jung-min's performance.)
(Studying director Ryoo Seung-wan's directing techniques.)
(It's definitely not because I had nothing to do!)
"Zai Xun?"

Assistant director Kim Sung-beom was the first to spot him and greeted him in surprise:
"Isn't your film scheduled to start shooting at the end of the month?"

"Come and learn."

Kang Jae-hoon rubbed his hands together, his breath warming his skin, and glanced at the camera crew who were adjusting their equipment:
"Do you need any help?"

Before the assistant director could say anything, shouts of "Give me a hand!" came from not far away.

Kang Jae-hoon turned around and quickly ran over to help lift the heavy railcar.

The cold metal pressed against his palm, making his fingertips numb.

"Thanks."

The props team leader laughed and said, "Actually, you don't need to do these things."

"It's alright, I'm just killing time anyway."

The small habits he developed early on quickly won Kang Jae-hoon favor with the props team.

"All departments, prepare!"

Kang Jae-hoon quietly retreated behind the monitor, finding an angle that wouldn't obstruct his view but still allowed him to see the camera clearly.

The first scene depicts Hwang Jung-min's character, Seo Do-cheol, leading his team member Miss Bong, disguised as a wealthy couple, setting a trap to capture a transnational used car theft ring.

The role of the youngest detective, originally played by him, has now been taken over by Kang Ha-neul.

It was all a twist of fate—

Kang Jae-hoon initially wanted to recommend him to Park Hyung-sik.

After all, the two had a very pleasant working relationship during the "The Heirs" period.

Who would have thought that this guy would pass up such a great opportunity and actually go back to hold a concert with his obscure band "ZE: Aztecs"?

"That's a film directed by Ryoo Seung-wan!"

Kang Jae-hoon was heartbroken on the phone.

Park Hyung-sik, however, laughed without a care in the world:

"Brother, our group finally has a concert, I can't abandon the members."

Although it was a pity they couldn't film together, Kang Jae-hoon felt an even greater appreciation for Park Hyung-sik.

It was precisely this loyal and affectionate nature that made him willing to befriend the other party.

"Action!"

Ryu Seung-wan's shout pulled Kang Jae-hoon back to the film set.

Hwang Jung-min, dressed in a black suit, white shirt, and sunglasses, swaggered into the used car market with a policewoman posing as his "wife" by his arm around her.

Kang Jae-hoon immediately pulled out his notebook and began meticulously recording every detail about Hwang Jung-min.

Deliberately relaxed body language;

The deliberately drawn-out ending note contrasts rhythmically with the suddenly accelerated short command;
After confirming the target, there is a subtle pause where the eyelids droop slightly but the pupils focus.

Besides acting skills.

Kang Jae-hoon was also scrambling to record Hwang Jung-min's camera work, which allowed him to leave space for the camera during his movements.

TV dramas prioritize narrative efficiency, and their shots primarily consist of medium and close-up shots as well as reverse shots.

Actors only need to ensure their facial expressions are accurate; their movements are basically fixed.

This allows viewers to keep up with the plot even when they are distracted.

Movies, on the other hand, emphasize visual composition and atmosphere creation.

In a simple dialogue scene, a film might use long takes to direct the actors' movements in space, conveying emotions through changes in lighting and depth of field.

Kang Jae-hoon's acting experience gained in "The Heirs" was more about "fixed-point performances" typical of television dramas.

For example, the rooftop kissing scene.

The director asked him to stand at a specific marker, with even the angle of his head turn precisely 30 degrees, to ensure that the camera could capture his and Krystal Jung's expressions at the same time.

But movies are different.

On the monitor, Hwang Jung-min is leading actress Jang Yoon-joo, who plays Miss Bong, through a used car market with ease.

Sometimes they walk side by side, sometimes one in front of the other, and sometimes they even turn around or stop suddenly. Their seemingly casual movements are actually precise, with each step perfectly positioned to be in the best frame for the camera.

What Kang Jae-hoon is doing now is readjusting to the filming rhythm of the movie.

While TV dramas can compensate for acting flaws through editing, long takes in movies will ruthlessly expose every detail of mistakes.

As Kang Jae-hoon was engrossed in taking notes, a shadow suddenly fell over him.

"Young Master Thames is working so hard?"

A teasing male voice came from above.

Kang Jae-hoon looked up and met Yoo Hae-jin's smiling eyes.

The actor who plays Executive Director Choi of the new conglomerate in the drama is currently wearing a black down jacket and holding a cup of hot coffee.

"Hello, senior!"

Kang Jae-hoon quickly stood up and bowed.

Liu Haizhen waved for him to sit down, and then found a chair next to him.
"Don't call me senior, it's too formal. Just call me Hae-jin oppa."

—Liu Haizhen.

One of the most recognizable supporting actors in Chungmuro, South Korea, he is a top-tier supporting actor who has won numerous awards.

Despite his lower status in the film industry compared to top supporting actor Oh Dal-soo.

However, thanks to the humor and approachability displayed in variety shows such as "Three Meals a Day" and "Running Man," it enjoys extremely high national recognition.

He was even jokingly called "Mr. Zhenhai".

The most sensational thing was his relationship with Kim Hye-soo.

When the two started dating, the woman was already a Blue Dragon Film Award winner.

After being exposed by South Korean media, their relationship lasted only about a year before ending due to family pressure.

This "beauty and the beast" romance remains a popular topic of conversation in the entertainment industry.

"Yes, Brother Haejin."

"I heard you went to learn horseback riding and golf?"

"Ah."

Kang Jae-hoon nodded: "There's also red wine, cigar tasting, and etiquette lessons."

"The style of a chaebol."

Liu Haizhen clicked his tongue and looked him up and down: "No wonder you have such an elegant and noble air about you."

"You flatter me."

Kang Jae-hoon smiled modestly.

"Shall we rehearse our lines and get a feel for it?"

In the script structure of "Veteran," the character Choi, played by Yoo Hae-jin, and the character Jo Tae-oh, played by Kang Jae-hoon, are practically synonymous with "colluding in evil."

This symbiotic relationship that runs throughout the film demands a very high level of chemistry between the actors.

Executive Director Choi was both an accomplice of Cho Tae-oh and a witness to his atrocities.

This "evil master, loyal servant" dynamic means that the two characters appear together in almost every scene.

Liu Haizhen's ability to become a golden supporting actor in Chungmuro ​​(the Korean film industry) stems from his deep understanding of the "supporting role philosophy."

It can accurately find the performance rhythm that neither overshadows the other nor diminishes the overall quality.

This ability is not a talent, but a professional skill honed through years of professional experience.

His initiative to rehearse the scene at this moment was precisely to lay the groundwork for future filming.

Observe Kang Jae-hoon's performance habits through improvisation:

Is it based on the tension of the dialogue or the body language?

Do you usually convey emotions through your eyes or the corners of your mouth?
Even the smallest details, like breathing rhythm and blinking frequency, are information he needs to grasp.

Only by understanding these things can you adjust your performance frequency during the actual filming and achieve a perfect resonance with your partner.

"Okay, Haejin-hyung."

Kang Jae-hoon was naturally happy to accept Yoo Hae-jin's invitation to audition.

Being able to act alongside such a "golden supporting actor" is itself an invaluable masterclass in acting.

He quickly flipped through the script and found the scene where the two had the most scenes together—

The scene where Cho Tae-oh hits a truck driver who's chasing him for debt with a golf club in his office.

In this scene, Executive Director Choi has to dissuade Zhao Taiwu from his atrocities, yet he dares not truly disobey this capricious chaebol heir, and he also has to clean up the mess for him.

The performance was extremely complex.

Yoo Hae-jin glanced at the script, then suddenly closed it:

"No script needed, just improvise."

This is the real test.

There are no pre-set lines or fixed positions; everything depends on the actor's understanding of the character and their on-the-spot reactions.

Liu Haizhen suddenly stood up and took two steps back, his smile vanishing instantly.

"Young master, let me explain."

Just a moment ago, Liu Haizhen was chatting and laughing, but now he was bent over at a ninety-degree angle, his voice trembling with a pleading tone. The fawning and fear in his eyes were perfectly natural, as if he were really facing a demon that could erupt at any moment.

This sudden, seamless immersion in the role caused Kang Jae-hoon's pupils to contract sharply.

(Is this the power of a top-tier supporting actor in Chungmuro?)
(Gets into character in a second.)

Kang Jae-hoon slowly took out his glasses cloth and wiped the lenses one by one.

This seemingly casual act of tidying his appearance was actually a pretext for buying him time to think.

(How do I answer?)

(How should Cho Tae-oh react?)

(Enrage? Sneer? Or...)

(What's the key backstory?)
(...)
However, the moment the glasses were on his nose, Kang Jae-hoon's eyes changed—

The gaze behind the glasses was like a blunt knife, slowly scraping across Liu Haizhen's hunched back. A faint smile played at the corners of his lips, and his Adam's apple bobbed as he uttered a light, airy sentence:
"explain?"

This word is like an ice bead hitting the stagnant air.

Liu Haizhen bent down even lower.

He sensed that Kang Jae-hoon's aura at that moment was completely unlike that of a rookie actor who had just bowed and greeted him; rather, he seemed more like a third-generation chaebol heir who had been immersed in power politics since childhood.

That cruel elegance that makes oppression feel as natural as breathing.

Kang Jae-hoon walked slowly towards Yoo Hae-jin, gently patting the other's cheek with his left hand.

His movements were as gentle as if he were caressing a lover, but his eyes were as cold as ice.

Before Kang Jae-hoon could even speak...

Liu Haizhen knelt down with a thud.

It wasn't a dramatic performance; it was knees slamming into concrete.

Jiang Zai Xun looked down at the man trembling like a leaf at his feet and almost lost his composure.

(You just kneel down like that?)
(This is a concrete floor!)

(Is it curled like this?)
He suppressed the urge to help Liu Haizhen up, rolled the script into a bucket shape, and gently lifted the other man's chin, mimicking a golf club:

"Brother, please speak."

The script slowly moved down, resting on Yoo Hae-jin's Adam's apple: "How should I deal with a disobedient dog?"

Liu Haizhen's pupils suddenly contracted.

His Adam's apple bobbed laboriously beneath the paper tube, his lips trembled but no sound came out.

"Bang!" Kang Jae-hoon slammed the script onto Yoo Hae-jin's shoulder with a light thud.

He instinctively flinched, as if he had really been hit hard.

In their back-and-forth exchanges, the two actually brought the cold words in the script to life.

"Crack!"

From not far away, director Ryu Seung-wan called for a stop for Hwang Jung-min's performance.

Yoo Hae-jin suddenly broke character and stood up with a smile:
"sure."

Kang Jae-hoon immediately dropped his imposing aura and quickly reached out to help him up.
"Is Hae-jin's knee alright?"

"Small idea."

Liu Haizhen patted the dust off his trousers, his eyes full of admiration:
"Your portrayal of Zhao Taiwu was quite impressive; Director Liu has a good eye for talent."

"Hae-jin's ability to lead the cast is also crucial."

Kang Jae-hoon honestly said, "I almost couldn't catch you when you knelt down."

Liu Haizhen waved his hand dismissively, as if his impromptu kneeling was insignificant:
"That gesture you just used to wipe your glasses was perfect. The moment the glare from the lenses obscured your eyes, your aura instantly changed! Who taught you that trick?"

“We drew inspiration from Ni Yongxiao in Infernal Affairs 2.”

"He has talent."

The two began to review their impromptu performance.

From eye contact to the rhythm of the lines, they even discussed the subtle changes in Zhao Taiwu's facial expressions in different scenes.

For the next two weeks, Kang Jae-hoon and Yoo Hae-jin were practically inseparable.

Liu Haizhen maintained the same "eunuch-like" demeanor as Executive Director Cui throughout the entire process.

He always lags behind Kang Jae-hoon by half a step when walking;

When handing out water, one unconsciously bends over;

Even when eating, he would observe Kang Jae-hoon's expression before picking up his chopsticks.

Even during breaks and casual conversations, he maintained a subtly tilted posture—

It won't make him seem too humble, and it will also put Kang Jae-hoon in the center of attention.

At first, Kang Jae-hoon felt very uncomfortable and tried several times to break this state of being immersed in the role outside of the drama.

But it was soon discovered—

This trick really works.

When Yoo Hae-jin, acting like Executive Director Choi, held an umbrella for him, opened the car door, and even straightened his collar.

Kang Jae-hoon found himself unconsciously adopting Jo Tae-oh's airs.

That deep-seated sense of class was gradually etched into muscle memory.

Through the subtle influence of daily life, the two developed a conditioned reflex-like relationship.

When filming officially began, Yoo Hae-jin no longer needed to deliberately act out his obsequiousness and fear.

Instead, it becomes a natural reaction, like muscle memory.

In fact, the key to South Korean films' frequent success on the international film scene is not just their daring and controversial subject matter.

The dedication of these talented actors is also indispensable.

Of course, the premise of being dedicated is that the film and television industry's base is only so big.

The scarcity of available resources has created the current situation of "survival of the fittest".

More than two thousand students graduate from acting programs in South Korea every year, but less than one percent of them make it big. Even top supporting actors like Yoo Hae-jin have to constantly be wary of being replaced by younger, cheaper newcomers.

The pressure is transmitted layer by layer in this way—

Veteran actors fear losing their jobs to middle-aged actors, middle-aged actors are wary of emerging newcomers, and newcomers are desperately trying to prove they deserve the opportunity.

2 month 28 day.

A high-end club in Myeongdong, Seoul.

The crew of "Veteran" has booked the entire building and is making final set adjustments.

Kang Jae-hoon sat in the dressing room, letting the stylist spray hairspray on his hair.

The person in the mirror has completely shed the image of "Yin Canrong"—

His hair was slicked back with meticulous care, he wore gold-rimmed glasses and a perfectly tailored waistcoat. The platinum watch face peeking out from his cuffs gleamed with a cool light, and even his nails were manicured and polished to a smooth, glossy finish.

"Young Master, it's time to prepare."

Liu Haizhen pushed open the door and entered, already behaving entirely like Executive Director Cui—

With a slightly hunched back, hands clasped over his lower abdomen, his voice was perfectly suppressed.

Kang Jae-hoon didn't say anything, but simply straightened his tie one last time in front of the mirror.

The corridor was covered with thick carpet, completely absorbing the sound of footsteps.

More than twenty actors and extras were already in place inside the private box.

Lee Dong-hwi, who gained popularity for his role as the doll-fish in "Reply 1988"; Park So-dam, whose fame soared with "Parasite"; and Yoo In-young, the actress who recently starred in "My Love from the Star" and clashed with Cheon Song-yi.

Kang Jae-hoon maintained his Jo Tae-oh persona, chin slightly raised, giving a simple nod to everyone through his nostrils. His gaze, behind his gold-rimmed glasses, swept indifferently over everyone present, not even bothering to offer a greeting.

"All departments, prepare!"

The assistant director's voice broke the delicate atmosphere.

Today's filming marks Jo Tae-oh's first appearance, and also the first direct confrontation between Seo Do-cheol and this tycoon's son in the movie.

The plot is set as follows:

Hwang Jung-min plays Seo Do-cheol, who is invited to this upscale club by a friend from the TV station who claims he'll be introduced to a "big shot." If he can establish this connection, his future career will undoubtedly be meteoric.

The camera slowly pans across the exhibition environment, following Hwang Jung-min's perspective.

Crystal chandeliers refracted dazzling light, and the female entertainers on the leather sofas were all fair-skinned and beautiful. Waiters carried gold-rimmed trays and moved among them, the crisp sound of champagne glasses clinking echoing throughout.

The extravagant scene silently testifies to the owner's wealth and power.

"this way please."

The waiter led Hwang Jung-min through the long corridor and pushed open the gilded door at the end.

The moment the gilded gate opened, a wave of noise rushed in.

Under the crystal chandelier.

A dozen or so well-dressed young people sat around a long table.

Two muscular men are arm wrestling.

Cheers and shouts of encouragement rose and fell from the surrounding crowd.

The luxurious atmosphere is interspersed with champagne, cigars, and fine perfumes.

"President-nim, President-nim—"

Lee Dong-hui, playing the middleman, smiled obsequiously and whispered in Kang Jae-hoon's ear, "The detectives are here. Please go and say hello."

From the crowd, Kang Jae-hoon walked out slowly, a cigar between his fingers, and extended his hand toward Hwang Jung-min.

Hwang Jung-min immediately bowed at a 90-degree angle:

"Hello, my name is Xu Daozhe, from the Wide-Area Search Team—"

Kang Jae-hoon acted as if he hadn't heard, immediately pulled his hand away, turned around, and waved to Park So-dam.

The actress, who plays a female star in the drama, immediately ran over and snuggled into his arms like a docile cat.

If it were two months ago...

Kang Jae-hoon's action of embracing an actress would never be so smooth and natural.

but now--

He held a cigar in his left hand and naturally wrapped his right arm around Park So-dam's slender waist, the movements so fluid and natural as if he had done it a thousand times before.

(Without distraction.)
(Professional competence.)
(It's definitely not because I don't find Park So-dam attractive.)
Kang Jae-hoon glanced down at the actress in his arms, his gaze as indifferent as if he were appraising a product.

Park So-dam snuggled closer to him, her fingers, painted with bright red nail polish, circling his chest.

"Oppa~"

Her drawn-out tone carried just the right amount of sweetness.

Kang Jae-hoon didn't reply, but simply raised his chin at the burly arm-wrestling man who was waiting for orders:
“Ready…”

The smoke from the cigar drifted slowly as he spoke.

"Fight!"

"come on!"

"Go on!"

The people around immediately erupted in enthusiastic cheers.

The two burly men wrestled on the table with their veins bulging, their muscles bulging from the effort.

The camera then focused on Hwang Jung-min in a close-up.

At this moment, he was completely like an outsider who had mistakenly wandered into high society, standing awkwardly in place.

Kang Jae-hoon watched the game casually, then suddenly leaned down and whispered something in Park So-dam's ear. She immediately giggled and playfully punched his chest; the scene was a classic example of a spoiled brat flirting with a female celebrity.

The struggle continues.

The person he was betting on was being pressured so hard that his arm was trembling, and he was about to lose.

Suddenly, Kang Jae-hoon leaned forward, his cigar grinding directly onto the shoulder of the burly man he hadn't bet on.

"hiss--"

The microphone clearly captured the sizzling sound of flesh burning.

A wisp of smoke rose from the scalded skin, and sparks flickered on the sweaty muscles.

The burly man reflexively let go.

The whole place fell silent for a moment.

The burly man glanced at Jiang Zaixun without daring to speak, then immediately grabbed an ice cube and pressed it against his "wound."

"waste."

Jiang Zai Xun casually uttered the word, then grabbed a wad of banknotes from the table and threw it in the burly man's face.

The banknotes were scattered all over the ground, and no one dared to pick them up.

Park So-dam immediately handed him a new cigar, which Kang Jae-hoon lit in her hand.

Huang Zhengmin, who witnessed this scene, suddenly narrowed his eyes.

"Crack!"

Staff immediately rushed forward to treat the extra's "scalds"—

Actually, what I just used was a specially made low-temperature cigar prop; the wound was just special effects makeup that had been applied beforehand.

But the realistic effects made many actors believe it was real.

After the director yelled "Cut," Kang Jae-hoon immediately ran to the monitor to watch the playback.

The arrogant young master of the tycoon in the picture was so unfamiliar that even he was surprised—

Behind his gold-rimmed glasses, his gaze was indifferent, as if he were looking at an ant, a faint, cold smile playing on his lips. His movements as he embraced the actress were so practiced, unlike someone filming an intimate scene for the first time; the harshness of his burning cigar seemed entirely natural.

(Is this me?)
Four months ago, he blushed to the roots of his ears on the set of "The Heirs" because he touched Krystal Jung's feet.

Yet now he can perform this uncomfortable act without batting an eye.

Even the staff present believed it to be true.

(Is this what acting is?)
Kang Jae-hoon stared at the playback and suddenly understood what Hwang Jung-min meant by "a completely different face for each drama"—

It's not just about changing clothes or hairstyle; it's about becoming a completely different person from the inside out.

"This one is approved!"

Director Ryu Seung-wan's voice brought Kang Jae-hoon back to reality.

The staff immediately began preparing for the next scene.

The first direct confrontation between Cho Tae-oh and Seo Do-cheol.

Kang Jae-hoon immediately found Park So-dam and Yoo In-young and bowed deeply to apologize.
"I need to apologize to both of you in advance for the upcoming scenes."

Park So-dam smiled and waved her hand:
"Actor Jiang is too kind. It's all just work."

"We've read the script, it's fine."

Liu Renying also comforted him, saying, "It's not like it's your first day filming."

Despite their words, Kang Jae-hoon still bowed solemnly once more:

"If you feel uncomfortable at any time, please feel free to call a halt."

"With actor Jiang being such a gentleman, the villainous performance he'll be less effective later on might be diminished."

Upon hearing Park So-dam's teasing, Kang Jae-hoon straightened up and touched the back of his neck sheepishly.

Liu Haizhen appeared behind him at some point and whispered a reminder:
"Mind your manners."

He immediately lowered his hand as a reflex and straightened his back again.

This subconscious shift caused the two actresses to cover their mouths and chuckle.

(End of this chapter)