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

Chapter 118: The Bible's First On-Screen Kiss

Chapter 118: The Bible's First On-Screen Kiss (Special Feature)

In late March, cherry blossoms began to bloom sporadically in Seoul.

Kang Jae-hoon stood by the window in the film set's rest area, gazing absently at the cherry blossom petals falling in the distance.

The month-long intensive filming schedule caused him to lose a significant amount of weight. His jawline became sharper, and his eyes held a touch of Zhao Taiwu's melancholy.

The radio became his only breathing space.

When Park Hyung-sik came to visit on Wednesday, the two chatted for almost too long.

The day before yesterday, Kim Ji-won came to the radio station to promote her work, and was jokingly called "after-sales service from The Heirs crew" by the listeners.
The most unexpected thing was Yoona's phone call where she pretended to be a listener.

She deliberately lowered her voice and asked, "What is DJ Kang's ideal type?" but was immediately exposed by Kang Jae-hoon.

Today it is today.

Kang Jae-hoon finally understood the wisdom of Kim Dae-won's insistence on him taking this job.

The filming took almost half a year.

Once an actor, especially a newcomer, disappears from the public eye, their popularity can easily cool down.

Radio became the best channel for Kang Jae-hoon to maintain his public profile.

"Jae-hoon-ssi, get ready for the next round."

The stagehand's call brought him back to reality.

Kang Jae-hoon responded and turned to walk towards the film set.

The boxing ring has already been set up in the center.

Multiple cameras were set up around the perimeter.

Kang Jae-hoon took off his suit jacket, unbuttoned his cuffs, and slowly rolled up his shirt sleeves, revealing his well-defined forearms.

He prepared for this scene for a whole month.

Because he was studying aristocratic etiquette before the machine was turned on.

This resulted in Kang Jae-hoon having to practice fighting moves for two hours every day after work with a martial arts instructor.

Taking the mouthguard from his assistant, Kang Jae-hoon skillfully put it in his mouth. He stretched his shoulders, listening to the slight cracking of his joints.

"The action director will explain the positioning again."

Director Ryu Seung-wan clapped his hands, and the martial arts choreographer immediately stepped forward to demonstrate:

"First, he used standard boxing moves, but Zhao Taiwu's punches were all showy and elaborate—"

The action director demonstrated a flashy but ineffective hook: "Then, as the bodyguard dodges, you need to get increasingly frustrated."

Kang Jae-hoon nodded and then gestured a few times.

After a while.

"All departments, prepare—"

"Action!"

The clapperboard snapped shut.

Kang Jae-hoon immediately got into character, throwing a right hook at the actor playing the bodyguard. The actor nimbly leaned back to dodge, a movement that made Jo Tae-oh, played by Kang Jae-hoon, frown.

"Come again!"

He threw a series of punches, each one delivered with exaggerated force—

His shoulders shrugged, and his waist movement was disjointed, like a rudimentary martial arts move learned from a movie. The bodyguard dodged with ease, even managing to catch him to prevent him from losing his balance.

Sweat trickled down Kang Jae-hoon's temples.

His breathing became rapid, but his eyes grew increasingly sinister.

When his seventh punch missed, Kang Jae-hoon suddenly stopped.

The scene fell silent for a moment.

He slowly walked towards the bodyguard and pressed his forehead against the other's:

"ah……"

Kang Jae-hoon's voice was very soft, but the sudden sense of pressure made the actor opposite him unconsciously swallow.

"Are you looking down on me?"

"No...don't dare."

"Then play seriously!"

This sentence was like flipping a switch.

What followed was both unexpected and perfectly logical.

The bodyguard delivered a straight punch to Kang Jae-hoon's abdomen, and he groaned as he fell to his knees.

The second punch grazed her cheek.

The third punch knocked him down onto the ropes.

Ryu Seung-wan squinted behind the monitor—

Kang Jae-hoon's micro-expressions when he was being hit were too real.

The sudden, unexpected pain, followed by a twisted expression of shame and anger—these are details that only someone who has actually been beaten could portray.

(Was he bullied during his school years?)
"Cut!"

Ryu Seung-wan called a halt to the performance: "Get ready for the next shot, the armbar scene!"

Staff immediately stepped forward to touch up the makeup of the two.

The makeup artist sprayed "sweat" on Kang Jae-hoon's face.

The actor playing the bodyguard wore special effects prosthetics on his calves.

The final shot is being filmed—

Kang Jae-hoon sat on the ground, panting.

The bodyguard rushed forward in a panic: "Are you alright?"

He slowly rose, supporting himself on the ropes, casually wiped the sweat from his brow, and waved his hand magnanimously:

"It's okay, continue—"

The words have not yet fallen.

"boom!"

Kang Jae-hoon suddenly delivered a powerful right hook punch to the bodyguard's face.

As the other person staggered backward, he nimbly pounced on him and pinned him to the ground. Fists rained down like raindrops, each one accompanied by a dull thud that made your teeth ache.

then.

A standard armbar locks the opponent's right leg.

Kang Jae-hoon's face was contorted in front of the camera, and sweat dripped down his jawline.

Despite the other person's repeated pleas for mercy, he not only refused to let go but twisted the object even more forcefully—

"Click!"

The special effects prosthetic limb emits a realistic cracking sound.

"what!"

The actor playing the bodyguard let out a piercing scream.

The impromptu wail sent a chill down the spines of the staff on site.

"Pooh."

Kang Jae-hoon released his grip, stood up with a cold smile:
"Is someone with this level of skill qualified to be my bodyguard?"

"..."

"Crack!"

Ryu Seung-wan repeatedly replayed the final close-up of the armbar in front of the monitor.

In the footage, the bulging veins on Kang Jae-hoon's arms and the bulging blood vessels in his neck are clearly visible, and even the throbbing in his temples exudes a crazy energy.

"Let's shoot a few more close-ups."

Ryu Seung-wan turned to the photographer and gestured:

"The expression on his face when he exerts force with his hands, and the smile on his lips when he locks his legs—yes, that's the kind of creepy look he has."

The makeup artist immediately rushed over to touch up Kang Jae-hoon's makeup, spraying a new layer of "sweat" onto his face.

The reshoots continued until evening.

When Yoo Seung-wan finally yelled "That's a wrap!", Kang Jae-hoon's shirt was soaked with sweat, and his knuckles were red from the repeated hitting motions.

He sat in the corner folding chair, staring blankly at his slightly trembling hands—

(Just now.)

(They actually wanted to break his leg.)
The pleasure of committing violence felt so real.

He could even vividly recall the chilling sense of control he felt when he twisted the bodyguard's "leg bone" through his fingertips.

(This isn't right.)

Kang Jae-hoon clenched his fist tightly.

His thoughts were abruptly interrupted by the ringing of his cell phone.

Kang Jae-hoon stared at the word "Bible" on the screen for three seconds before answering the call.

"Hey?"

"where?"

Lee Sung-kyung's familiar indifference came through the receiver.

"We just finished filming."

Kang Jae-hoon rubbed his throbbing temples: "What's wrong?"

"are you free tomorrow?"

"tomorrow."

Kang Jae-hoon recalled the filming schedule for tomorrow and said:
"There's no chance after 5 p.m."

"He'll be making a cameo appearance."

"what?"

"It's Okay, That's Love," an SBS Wednesday-Thursday drama.

Lee Sung-kyung speaks very quickly: "I'm playing Oh Shon-soo, so I need a cameo boyfriend."

Kang Jae-hoon almost slipped off his chair:

"Wait, when did you take this role?!"

"Last week."

Why didn't you tell me?

"……forget."

The sound of papers turning over came from the other end of the phone, and Lee Sung-kyung's voice suddenly became unnatural:
"There's a kissing scene."

"what?"

"The character you're playing has a kissing scene with me, so... you'll play the role."

"why me?"

"Because... I might as well not come!"

The phone was suddenly hung up.

Kang Jae-hoon froze, holding his phone, only to hear a rapid busy tone on the receiver.

"Buzz"

The screen suddenly lit up.

【Bible】

Address: 361-2 Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu

[Time: April 1st, 20:00]

The message was as concise as a work announcement.

Kang Jae-hoon swiped up the screen; the chat history stopped yesterday.

【March 30, 22:15】

[Kang Jae-hoon]: I'm going to bully people again tomorrow TT
Lee Sung-kyung: Remember to apologize
Going back further, this is a conversation from three days ago:

【March 27, 09:30】

[Kang Jae-hoon]: What have you been busy with lately?
Lee Sung-kyung: Work
……

Scrolling back further, there are very few dialogues; they are all dry work reports.

Kang Jae-hoon suddenly realized that they hadn't seen each other for a month and a half since filming for "Veteran" started.

(etc……)
He belatedly realized—

(A kissing scene?)

(That was her first on-screen kiss!)

(So she doesn't want to kiss strangers...)
(Still under the guise of work...)
The phone vibrated again.

He interrupted his random thoughts.

[Lee Sung-kyung]: If you don't want to come, then forget it.

Kang Jae-hoon quickly typed a reply:
【I go! 】

After sending it, he quickly added a salute emoji.

The message appears as read.

no reply.

Kang Jae-hoon stared at the screen for a minute before finally putting his phone back in his pocket.

The lights on set gradually dimmed.

The staff began packing up the equipment.

He stood up, stretched his aching shoulders and neck, and headed towards the locker room.

As he passed by a mirror, Kang Jae-hoon inadvertently caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror—

He had already taken off his gold-rimmed glasses, but the sinister look in his eyes hadn't completely faded. There were a few faint red marks on his collarbone, from when he accidentally scratched himself during the armbar earlier.

(Would you be doing a cameo role looking like this?)
No.

He needs to—

1. Taking a shower (covered in sweat)

2. Change into new clothes (the back of the shirt was completely soaked).

3. Check the script (What is the plot of "It's Okay, That's Love"?)
4. Practice kissing scenes (...wait, I don't think we need to practice this?)

……

After thinking for a moment, Kang Jae-hoon took out his phone and dialed Kim Dae-won's number.

"Brother, I'm going to have a cameo role in a play tomorrow."

When did you take on this job???

"just……"

"What about the pay?"

"without……"

Jin Dayuan's voice suddenly rose in pitch on the phone:

"No pay?! You just took the role?!"

"Um……"

After a three-second silence, Jin Dayuan suddenly asked, "Was it your model roommate who invited me again?"

"Correct."

Kang Jae-hoon readily agreed.

"Okay, I'll help you arrange it. Remember to bring some souvenirs."

"I know, thank you, brother."

……

The filming went surprisingly smoothly the next day.

Kang Jae-hoon finished his scenes for the day twenty minutes ahead of schedule.

He couldn't wait to run back to the hotel and take a shower.

Along with the hairspray, Zhao Taiwu's charisma was washed down the drain.

She changed into a white striped short-sleeved shirt and ice-blue jeans.

She also deliberately let her bangs down to cover her forehead.

His fresh, youthful charm is simply overflowing.

Kang Jae-hoon practiced his smile repeatedly in front of the mirror, making sure that the curve of his mouth would not retain any trace of Jo Tae-oh's crazy attitude.
-
Seven o'clock in the evening.

A food truck adorned with a huge poster slowly drove into the vicinity of the filming location of "It's Okay, That's Love".

The current filming location for the drama is a coffee shop.

This coffee shop is a business that Jo In-sung privately invested in and entrusted to his younger brother to run.

In the South Korean entertainment industry, this triple operational model of "product placement in film and television scenes + real-life connections with celebrities + fan economy" is already commonplace.

The production crew obtained the filming location at a discounted price;
Celebrity relatives' businesses are exposed through film and television dramas;

After a TV series becomes a hit, fans will spontaneously come to "visit the holy sites," boosting consumption in physical stores.

The arrival of the support truck quickly caused a commotion at the scene. Staff outside the cafe turned to look, and when someone recognized the poster on the truck as a photo of Lee Sung-kyung walking the runway, they immediately ran into the film set to inform the crew.

"Hey Bible, someone's sending you a support truck outside!"

Lee Sung-kyung, who was acting opposite Lee Kwang-soo, was taken aback upon hearing this.

She instinctively looked out the window—

The poster on the food truck features a photo of her walking the runway at Seoul Fashion Week in 2014.

Below the photo was a support slogan:

"Bible actors, Fighting!"

It's obvious who sent it.

Lee Sung-kyung's lips curled up slightly, but she quickly pursed them back.

She walked quickly out of the coffee shop.

Lee Kwang-soo followed closely behind like a curious giraffe.

The dining car window slowly opened—

Kang Jae-hoon's bright smile was revealed.

His white striped short-sleeved shirt made him look exceptionally clean.

Her long, slender legs were encased in ice-blue jeans, and her bangs swayed slightly in the night breeze, making her look as refreshing as a bottle of freshly opened soda.

"Bible--"

The moment when their eyes met.

He waved at Lee Sung-kyung—

The amplitude is extremely similar to the frequency of a golden retriever wagging its tail.

Lee Sung-kyung suddenly stopped three meters away from the food truck.

The night breeze ruffled her bangs, but couldn't hide her slightly constricted pupils—

Kang Jae-hoon has lost weight.

It wasn't the kind of thinness that comes from deliberate weight loss, but rather the thinness resulting from long hours of high-intensity work. The collar of her white short-sleeved shirt hung loosely on her collarbone, the protruding curve of which cast a faint shadow under the streetlights.

What terrified her most was that smile—

He still smiled with his eyes crinkled into crescent moons.

But Lee Sung-kyung keenly sensed that something was missing from that smile.

(Is it the curve of the corner of the eye?)

(Is it the force at the corner of the mouth?)
(No, it's the look in their eyes.)
Kang Jae-hoon's eyes were still bright, but they were no longer as untroubled as before. There was something in them that she couldn't understand, like moss growing in a corner where the sun couldn't reach, damp and secretive.

"Holy crap! Isn't that our 'God of the Toilet Plunger'?"

Lee Kwang-soo's loud voice broke the brief silence.

He rushed to the food truck in three quick steps and raised his fist at Kang Jae-hoon.

Kang Jae-hoon quickly leaned half his body out of the food cart window and exchanged fist bumps with Lee Kwang-soo:
"Kwang Soo hyung."

Lee Kwang-soo skillfully climbed onto the car window:
"You little rascal, I couldn't get you to come for a drink. But you turn around and come visit some pretty girl on set? You're putting your girlfriend before your friends!"

As he spoke, he deliberately glanced at Lee Sung-kyung, who was standing still.

"not me……"

"I know."

Lee Kwang-soo waved his hand to interrupt him, then turned to the staff and shouted, "Everyone come quick! Someone's treating!"

A long queue quickly formed in front of the food truck.

The task of distributing the meals was handed over to the staff.

Kang Jae-hoon, carrying a backpack and a fruit platter, got off the food cart and walked toward Lee Sung-kyung.

"Give."

Kang Jae-hoon handed over the fruit plate.

Strawberries, kiwis, and mangoes were neatly arranged in a transparent plastic box, each piece cut into an even size.

Lee Sung-kyung took it, her gaze lingering on his cheek for two seconds, before finally uttering a curt sentence:

"Thin."

Kang Jae-hoon smiled and scratched the back of his head:

"It's necessary for the role."

"correct--"

He opened his backpack as if he had suddenly remembered something.

Five or six bottles of mouthwash were neatly stacked inside the backpack.

Mint, lemon, peach...

There was even a bottle of strawberry bubblegum flavored children's mouthwash.

Which flavor of the Bible do you prefer?

"..."

A moment of silence.

Lee Sung-kyung raised her hand and tapped his forehead with her knuckles:
"Hey, do you want to die?"

Kang Jae-hoon covered his forehead, looking completely innocent:
"It's not the Bible that says you can kiss today—"

"Shut up!"

Lee Sung-kyung glared at him fiercely, then turned and left.

Kang Jae-hoon followed closely behind her, making sure to zip up his backpack.

"Director, this is Kang Jae-hoon, who's making a cameo appearance."

The two walked up to the director behind the monitor.

The director looked Kang Jae-hoon up and down, then suddenly clapped his hands:

"Ah! Yoon Chan-young from 'The Heirs'!"

Jiang Zaixun bowed quickly:
"Hello Director, nice to meet you."

"Do you understand the plot?"

"not yet……"

The director handed over a piece of paper:

"It's just one scene, very simple."

Kang Jae-hoon took the script and quickly skimmed through it—

[Scene: After get off work at the coffee shop]

[Plot: Wu, a young woman, kisses Sam, who comes to pick her up from get off work, and they drive away on a motorcycle.]

(Is it that simple?)

(wrong.)

Kang Jae-hoon looked up at the director:
"What is the background of the character Sam? What is his age and education level? How did he meet Wu?"

The director paused for a moment, then laughed:

"It's just one shot, no need to take it so seriously."

"……it is good."

Kang Jae-hoon didn't take it seriously.

After all, whatever the director says goes.

Lee Sung-kyung caught a glimpse of his slightly bluish eyes out of the corner of her eye, and a sudden surge of inexplicable irritation welled up inside her.

(This guy)

(Did you eat properly?)
(Is this how you take care of yourself?)

"By the way, can you ride a motorcycle?"

The director suddenly asked Kang Jae-hoon.

"I can ride a bicycle, so these two... are pretty much the same, right?"

"The principle is the same, but..."

The director pointed to a spot not far away: "The prop truck is over there, why don't you give it a try?"

"Ok."

Kang Jae-hoon fastened his helmet, hopped on the motorcycle, and twisted the throttle.

The car suddenly lurched forward.

A crooked "S"-shaped route was drawn on the open space of the film set.

Hey! Watch where you're going!

Lee Sung-kyung's exclamation came from the monitor.

Realizing she was speaking too loudly, she quickly covered her mouth.

Kang Jae-hoon turned to her and gave her an "OK" sign, but almost bumped into the lighting rig.

The staff scattered in fright.

Lee Sung-kyung suddenly stood up.

"sorry Sorry……"

Kang Jae-hoon quickly apologized to everyone.

Reposition the helmet.

This time he learned his lesson.

Slowly twist the throttle and practice driving in small circles around the film set.

The night breeze lifted the hem of his white short-sleeved shirt, revealing the faint outline of his abdominal muscles.

Lee Sung-kyung watched his increasingly practiced cycling route, her tense shoulders finally relaxing. She pretended to look down at her script, but out of the corner of her eye, she counted how many laps he had made—

Three laps.

Five laps.

By the seventh lap, Kang Jae-hoon was already able to ride with one hand, and he even made a victory sign to himself with the other hand.

(Fool……)
"All departments, prepare!"

The assistant director's voice rang out on set.

"Action!"

The clapperboard snapped shut.

The closing bell of the coffee shop rang throughout the street.

Lee Kwang-soo, wearing a coffee shop apron, was sweeping dust at the entrance.

Lee Sung-kyung, playing the role of Oh, skips and hops down the steps:
Are you cleaning?

"Can't you see?"

Lee Kwang-soo rolled his eyes and deliberately kicked up a cloud of dust with his broom.

"whispering sound."

Lee Sung-kyung pouted and crossed her arms.

At this time-

"Buzz"

The sound of a motorcycle engine grew louder as it approached.

"Sam!"

Lee Sung-kyung's eyes lit up.

Kang Jae-hoon brought his motorcycle to a stylish stop beside her, tilting his head towards the back seat:

"boarding."

"Hmm~"

Lee Sung-kyung jogged over and cupped his face in her hands—

"Boom."

The crisp sound of kissing was exceptionally clear on set.

Kang Jae-hoon blinked, clearly not expecting her to kiss him so readily.

"Crack!"

Lee Sung-kyung was halfway into the car when the director told her to stop.

"Sam's expression is off."

"...I'm sorry, director."

"ah."

Lee Sung-kyung suddenly slapped Kang Jae-hoon's helmet: "Did you do that on purpose?"

"It's really not..."

Kang Jae-hoon was unaware of the plot or the relationships between the characters.

It would be strange if they could actually recreate the scenes the director envisioned.

The director seems to be aware of this issue as well.

But he wasn't given a clear explanation of the relationships between the characters.

Simply put, he should make Lee Kwang-soo look him in the eye with a provocative gaze.

Second shoot—

Same scene.

Lee Sung-kyung kissed him again decisively.

"Boom."

Their lips touched briefly before parting.

Kang Jae-hoon turned his head and raised an eyebrow at Lee Kwang-soo, a disdainful smile playing on his lips.

He deliberately twisted the accelerator—

"boom!"

The roar of the motorcycles was particularly jarring on the quiet street.

Lee Kwang-soo's expression instantly twisted—

The broom in his hand fell to the ground with a "thud," and his face began to twitch strangely.

Kang Jae-hoon gave Lee Kwang-soo a final sneer.

He twisted the accelerator sharply.

The motorcycle shot off like an arrow.

Lee Sung-kyung exclaimed and hugged his waist tightly.

"..."

"Crack!"

As soon as the director yelled, Kang Jae-hoon slammed on the brakes.

Inertia caused Lee Sung-kyung to lurch forward uncontrollably.

Jiang Zai Xun suddenly felt two soft, warm touches against his back, and even through the thin fabric, he could clearly hear the rapid heartbeats.

(this)

His back stiffened instantly.

The base of his ears turned red at a visible speed, and even the neck under his helmet turned pink.

Lee Sung-kyung's fist hovered in mid-air, but in the end, she only lightly tapped his helmet:
"Why didn't you warn me before braking?"

"Yes, I'm sorry..."

Kang Jae-hoon's voice was muffled inside his helmet.

Lee Sung-kyung nimbly flipped off the vehicle, unfastening her helmet buckle with such force it looked like she was about to snap something in two. The night wind tousled the stray hairs at her temples and faded the suspicious blush on her face.

"The acting was alright."

She bluntly uttered this comment and walked towards the monitor without looking back.

Kang Jae-hoon took off his helmet, turned around, and followed.

The scent of Lee Sung-kyung's shampoo wafted in the night breeze.

It's the familiar scent of lavender.

The shadows of the two people, one in front of the other, were stretched long by the streetlights.

The lights of the food truck in the distance dimmed, while the sound of motorcycle engines seemed to still echo in my ears—

Like a heartbeat that is hard to describe.

Even though it had stopped, the lingering effect persisted for a long time.

Kang Jae-hoon watched Lee Sung-kyung's retreating figure.

I suddenly remembered that rainy night two years ago—

She walked ahead without looking back, just like that.