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

Chapter 129 Echoes of the Citrus Tale

Seogwipo City, Jeju Island.

Blue Mountain Hotel.

When Kang Jae-hoon entered the meeting room, the writer and the director were already seated inside.

“Jaehoon!”

The writer sister immediately stood up from her chair and opened her arms with a smile when she saw him.

"Long time no see, Noona."

Kang Jae-hoon quickly stepped forward and gently hugged her.

"Thin."

The writer sister looked him up and down, frowned, and said, "Not used to Chinese food?"

"No."

Kang Jae-hoon waved his hand and explained, "It's my own problem."

In fact, Kang Jae-hoon gained 5 pounds during the first month of filming in Shanghai.

The lunch boxes from the Huaxia film crew were incredibly lavish!

Breakfast included steaming hot xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) and soy milk;
Lunch typically consists of four dishes and a soup, with a balanced mix of meat and vegetables.

The variety of late-night snacks is astounding, ranging from barbecue to crayfish.

With the addition of local snacks that Liu Yifei would occasionally feed him, his cheeks visibly became rounder.

But ever since that breakup phone call, Kang Jae-hoon's appetite has plummeted.

She would often only eat a couple of bites of her boxed lunch before putting down her chopsticks, and she couldn't even muster any interest in her favorite sweet and sour pork ribs. After two months, she not only quickly lost weight back to her original figure, but she was even thinner than before.

"This is Director Kwon Hyuk-chan."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, the writer sister then introduced the director to Jiang Zai-xun.

Kang Jae-hoon's gaze shifted to the man sitting beside him—

He was around forty years old, wearing black-rimmed glasses and a casual shirt, and looked more like a university professor than a director.

"Director Kwon, I've heard so much about you."

Kang Jae-hoon bowed slightly.

Kwon Hyukchan stood up, shook hands, and said in a gentle tone:
"Actor Jiang, I wish us a pleasant collaboration."

Director Kwon Hyuk-chan is a typical example of someone who has accumulated seniority in the Korean film and television industry.

The assistant director, who has directed works such as "Secret Garden", "A Gentleman's Dignity" and "Master's Sun", is directing a work for the first time as the lead director.

Although it's just a web series invested in by LINE.

But the production team consists of his old crew who followed him from SBS.

The producer then handed over the contract—

Her salary was 6000 million Korean won.

His salary was less than one-tenth of what he earned for "For Love or Money," and even less than what Kang Jae-hoon would normally receive in South Korea.

However, considering that this is a web series with only 10 episodes.

And each episode is only about ten minutes long.

In addition, LINE's ad-integration feature allows it to avoid the controversies surrounding Seoul...

It’s actually a good choice.

Not to mention, this was an opportunity strongly recommended by the writer sister.

That night.

Kang Jae-hoon treated his writer sister to dinner at a local seafood restaurant.

The two sat by the window.

Outside the window, fishing lights twinkled, and the sound of waves could be faintly heard.

During the banquet.

The writer sister picked up a piece of sashimi and suddenly brought up the time she spent on late-night radio shows—

The days the two stayed up all night rehearsing the script, the nervousness during their first live broadcast, and the surprise of receiving handwritten letters from listeners.

Those memories flashed through Kang Jae-hoon's mind like a revolving lantern.

How is the PD doing now?

Kang Jae-hoon asked casually.

"I went to LA for further studies."

The writer took a sip of liquor and smiled:

"They said they were planning to switch careers and work on a YouTube channel."

(YouTube...)
(That suits his unconventional way of thinking quite well.)
The conversation then turned to the various issues that arose after the radio station ceased broadcasting.

The writer casually mentioned her period of unemployment after resigning, but Kang Jae-hoon could still read the hardship in the fine lines around her eyes.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

The sea breeze grew cooler after the meal.

Kang Jae-hoon walked back to the hotel alone along the coastline.

The salty, humid air clung to my skin, and the distant lighthouse beams swept rhythmically across the sea.

He took out his phone and glanced at the time—

It was nearly 11 p.m.

Kang Jae-hoon suddenly remembered that he hadn't told Lee Sung-kyung about the change in schedule.

According to the original plan.

He should be back at his apartment in Seongsudong this afternoon.

Lee Sung-kyung must have already prepared the ginseng chicken soup.

Right now, he's probably sulking over the cold food.

This realization sent a chill down his spine, and the sea breeze gave him goosebumps.

He hurriedly pulled out his phone and dialed a number—

"Beep...beep..."

After a long wait, the call was automatically transferred to voicemail.

Undeterred, Kang Jae-hoon dialed again.

The result is still the same.

Kang Jae-hoon then dialed the number of Lee Sung-kyung's manager.

The call was answered quickly.

The background noise is loud.

You can faintly hear sounds from the recording site.

"Hey?"

"Hello, this is Kang Jae-hoon. Is the Bible service busy?"

"what--"

The other person lowered their voice and said, "The Bible is currently recording a late-night interview program, which probably won't finish until 1 a.m. Should I tell her to call back?"

"No thanks."

After hanging up the phone, Kang Jae-hoon stood on the beach for a while, lost in thought.

The night wind tousled his hair.

Lee Sung-kyung has successfully transformed her image.

In "It's Okay, That's Love", she played the role of Wu Shao Nv, who quickly became popular because of her bold and passionate personality.

Although this character is not a main character, he has a strong presence every time he appears.

The pairing with Lee Kwang-soo is also a popular topic of conversation.

As the series nears its finale, her personal popularity is soaring.

Endorsement and variety show invitations came one after another.

And this moment.

She might be running and laughing on a variety show, showing a lively and sunny side that is completely different from her private life.

Pretty good.

Kang Jae-hoon lowered his head and sent a message to Lee Sung-kyung on Kakao:

[I've taken on a film role in Jeju Island at the last minute; filming starts the day after tomorrow.]

After hesitating for a moment, he added:
Remember to rest and don't overexert yourself.

After sending it, I stared at the screen for a while.

No read status was displayed.

Kang Jae-hoon put away his phone and slowly walked back to the hotel through the fine sand.

Even without air conditioning, the nights in Jeju Island in August are quite cool indoors.

Kang Jae-hoon pulled out the script and notebook from his suitcase.

I leaned against the headboard and began writing a short biography of the person.

The shadow cast by the desk lamp on the wall swayed slightly as he wrote.

Yes, even though it was a cliché idol drama, he still wrote nearly four thousand words meticulously.

It provides a profound analysis of the protagonist's psychology.

As he was writing, Kang Jae-hoon's pen suddenly stopped.

He frowned and flipped back to the first page of the script to re-examine the male lead's character design—

She is an event planning company planner who came to Jeju Island to heal from a broken heart. She is taciturn, extremely serious about her work, but a complete mess in her personal life.

When nervous, I unconsciously touch the back of my neck;
When he smiles, the corners of his eyes droop slightly, giving him a somewhat naive look.

Kang Jae-hoon flipped back to the title page of the script to double-check the screenwriter's name.

It is indeed the pen name of the writer's sister.

He recalled the writer sister's hesitant expression during dinner.

Looking back now, it was clearly a guilty conscience that said, "I secretly wrote a script based on you, but I was too embarrassed to say it directly."

Kang Jae-hoon suddenly shook his head and chuckled.

He found that character analysis was completely unnecessary.

This character doesn't need to be deliberately crafted; just presenting his most authentic self in private is enough.

Even the breakup and healing scenes in the script strangely resonated with my own situation.

only.

In reality, coming to Jeju Island was not Kang Jae-hoon's choice, and Kim Ji-won is not a healing-type character.

Kang Jae-hoon closed his notebook, walked to the window, and drew back the curtains.

The sea off Jeju Island was pitch black late at night.

Only the distant lighthouse's light flickered regularly.

He suddenly had a strong urge to smoke a cigarette.

Yes, he didn't know when he started smoking.

Perhaps it was the first cigar he lit while filming "Veteran" to try and understand Cho Tae-oh's neuroticism;
Or perhaps it's those sleepless nights after the breakup;

Or perhaps, they simply want an excuse to stand on the balcony and daydream for a while.

There was only one cigarette left in the pack.

Kang Jae-hoon walked to the balcony with a cigarette in his mouth.

A salty, cool sea breeze blew in through the half-open window, immediately extinguishing the lighter's flame.

He cupped his hand around the flame to light a cigarette.

Take a deep breath.

The light of the distant lighthouse and the flickering cigarette butts reflected each other, much like the emotions he had deliberately ignored.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

The clouds in the sky looked like torn cotton wool.

Kim Ji-won looked down through the porthole at the gradually enlarging outline of the island—

Jeju Island resembles a piece of jade soaked in seawater. The outline of Hallasan Mountain appears and disappears in the mist. The coastline meanders like a healing scar.

The sound of Jung Soo-jung crying when she called me two months ago still echoes in my ears.

She still remembers the shock of standing there, frozen in place, phone in hand—

They were kissing in the fire escape when I visited them on set, how did it suddenly become "we broke up"?
What made her even more helpless was that Krystal Jung refused to reveal any details.

He just kept saying, "That's it."

When she learned that she would be working with Kang Jae-hoon, her feelings were even more complicated and indescribable.

The flight attendant's announcement that "the plane is about to land" interrupted her recollection.

Kim Ji-won suddenly realized that her memo was filled with notes—

[Absolutely no mention of Krystal]

[Do not ask about the reason for the breakup]

Avoid physical contact.

The last line was repeatedly deleted and revised, eventually becoming:
[You can punch him if necessary]

(What a terrible thing...)
Kim Ji-won thought this was probably the most absurd job she had ever taken on—

Forced to be caught in the middle of a couple breaking up, they have to pretend they know nothing and act out a love story.

The plane slowly landed on the runway at Jeju International Airport.

Kim Ji-won took out sunglasses from her bag and put them on her nose.

After collecting my luggage.

She followed her agent across the covered bridge, slowly making her way to the exit.

The arrival hall was bustling with people.

A damp sea breeze mixed with the cold air from the central air conditioning hit my face.

The televisions in the waiting area are still playing clips of Kang Jae-hoon narrating a promotional video for Jeju Island tourism a year ago.

She squinted her nearsighted eyes and looked around—

Suddenly, an exaggeratedly waving welcome sign came into view. Under the three large characters "Kim Ji-won" stood a tall man wearing sunglasses.

The sleeves of the light blue linen shirt were rolled up to the elbows, and a thin silver chain hung from her collarbone.

The slight upturn at the corners of his mouth revealed a familiar, endearing charm.

Even from a distance, Kim Ji-won could recognize that it was Kang Jae-hoon.

(That idiot...)
She secretly grumbled to herself.

(Why is someone who's a celebrity holding up a sign at the airport?)
(Afraid of not being recognized, huh?)
The agent was already waving enthusiastically in that direction.

Kim Ji-won had no choice but to follow him toward Kang Jae-hoon.

Upon closer inspection, I realized that Kang Jae-hoon's features were sharper than I remembered.

He exuded a strange sense of freshness.

She had expected to see a dejected, heartbroken person, but the person in front of her was actually more energetic than when they met four months ago.

"Our Ji-won-ssi, it's been a long time."

"Long time no see, what brings you here?"

Kim Ji-won's gaze unconsciously swept over his left wrist—

The couple's bracelet that she helped Jung Soo-jung pick out is gone.

Kang Jae-hoon shook the car keys in his hand:

"It's peak tourist season now, and it's so hard to rent a car. Giving you a taxi wouldn't be befit the noble status of actress Kim."

"……nerve."

Kim Ji-won rolled her eyes.

The two walked towards the parking lot, one after the other.

Sunlight streamed through the glass roof, bathing the two of them in what felt like a distant afternoon on the set of "The Heirs."

Just this time.

The shy figure was missing from their group.

The August sun on Jeju Island is so intense it can peel off your skin.

Kim Ji-won quickly climbed into the passenger seat, where the cool air from the air conditioner immediately relieved the heat.

Kang Jae-hoon took a paper bag from the back seat and handed it to her:
"Taste it?"

The bag contained several round Jeju Island tangerines.

Kim Ji-won froze the moment she took the orange—

This time last year.

The four of them watched "Despicable Me 2" at the CGV cinema.

Kang Jae-hoon also took out a few oranges from his bag and shared them with everyone, just like he is now.

She remembered that Krystal Jung clearly didn't like eating oranges.

But because it was him who brought it back, he insisted on finishing the whole thing while frowning.

She even joked at the time, "Don't force yourself to eat something that tastes so bad."

Krystal Jung simply shook her head and said, "It's quite sweet."

Memories overlap with reality.

Kim Ji-won bent down to peel an orange, and the fresh scent of citrus filled the car.

She broke off a piece and put it in her mouth; it was so sour that she squinted her eyes.

(really.)

(Early-ripening citrus fruits are not sweet at all.)
The car drove into the hotel parking lot.

Kim Ji-won discovered that Kang Jae-hoon's parking skills were even more proficient than her manager's.

He was steering the wheel with one hand.

His other hand rested casually on the edge of the car window.

The reverse parking maneuver was completed in one smooth motion.

The film crew booked all the rooms on the fifth floor of the hotel.

Kim Ji-won's room was arranged opposite Kang Jae-hoon's.

open the door.

A bouquet of fresh hydrangeas sits in front of the floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the sea view.

The blue-purple petals still had water droplets clinging to them, clearly indicating that they had just been changed.

After quickly packing my luggage.

Kim Ji-won changed into a loose T-shirt, picked up her script, and went to a script reading session.

In the hallway, I ran into Kang Jae-hoon, who had also just come out.

The two walked side by side towards the room at the end.

When I pushed open the door, the long table was already full of people.

Director, screenwriter, camera crew leader, lighting director...

Even web series with limited budgets.

But all the necessary procedures are still followed.

After all, they are all professionals honed through the training system of a regular television station, and they carry the sense of ritual of SBS's prime time slot in their bones.

The reading went very smoothly.

Kang Jae-hoon's understanding of the character impressed the director, who even adopted several of his suggestions for revision.

Kim Ji-won, on the other hand, was much quieter.

She was naturally introverted and taciturn.

I can only act silly in front of people I know well.

She would only say a few words when the director asked her.

After the meeting.

Kang Jae-hoon naturally walked to her side:

"Are you hungry? I heard the Jeju black pork at the hotel restaurant is pretty good."

Kim Ji-won opened her mouth, the words "Go by yourself" swirling on her tongue before finally becoming:
"……Row."

(Oh well, I'll just treat this as having a meal with a heartbroken kid.)
(Although this child seems to eat more than I do.)
The hotel restaurant was softly lit, and outside the window was the gradually darkening sea view of Jeju Island.

"You order."

Kim Ji-won pushed the menu over, rested her chin on her hand, and gazed out the window, lost in thought.

Kang Jae-hoon ordered a black pork set meal for two, plus a seafood pancake and two bottles of corn rice wine.

"how are things?"

While waiting for their food, Kim Ji-won took the initiative to ask.

"I came here right after finishing filming in Vienna."

"I'm asking..."

Kim Ji-won hesitated for a moment: "You... on a personal level."

"You want to ask about me and Krystal, right?"

"I didn't say that!"

"...a peaceful breakup."

Kim Ji-won stared at him for a few seconds, then suddenly sighed:

"You two are really..."

"You don't need to feel awkward. Our business is our business and it won't affect our relationship."

"..."

The waiter promptly brought out food and rice wine, interrupting this potentially dangerous topic.

Kang Jae-hoon poured rice wine for the two of them.

Kim Ji-won took the cup and gently touched it to his.

"Respect for the new play."

"Respect for the new play."

The sweetness of the rice wine neutralized the greasiness of the black pork, and the two of them had unknowingly finished two bottles.

As Kim Ji-won picked up the last piece of pancake, Kang Jae-hoon suddenly spoke:
"How has Soojung been lately?"

The chopsticks paused in mid-air, and Jin Zhi looked up at him:
"Want to know? Ask him yourself."

Kang Jae-hoon lowered his head, swirling his wine glass, and didn't reply.

Kim Ji-won put down her chopsticks, rested her chin on her hand, and stared at him:
"The last time I saw her, all I remember was that her usually bright and sparkling eyes were swollen, probably from laughing."

"..."

A moment of silence.

Kang Jae-hoon reached into his pocket.

He had just put the cigarette in his mouth.

Suddenly realizing this wasn't a private occasion, she awkwardly put it back.

When did you start smoking?

Kim Ji-won squinted her eyes.

“…I can’t remember.”

Kang Jae-hoon stroked the texture on the cigarette pack: "When we were filming 'For Love or Money'? Maybe even earlier."

"Come on."

Kim Ji-won pushed the ashtray in front of him:

"I do not mind."

After hesitating for a moment, Kang Jae-hoon pulled out a cigarette and put it in his mouth: "Do you want one?"

"..."

Kim Ji-won rolled her eyes and said:

Do I look like someone who smokes?

Kang Jae-hoon awkwardly withdrew his hand from the cigarette he was offering and lit his own.

Smoke rose in the dim light of the restaurant, blurring his sharply defined profile.

Kim Ji-won rested her chin on her hand and looked at him—

Kang Jae-hoon's smoking posture is surprisingly good-looking.

Unlike those male actors who deliberately strike poses to look cool, this one exudes a casual and nonchalant air.

His slender fingers held a cigarette, the flickering light of the cigarette reflecting his slightly furrowed brows.

His jawline was faintly visible in the smoke, and his Adam's apple bobbed up and down with each exhale.

(Tsk...)
Kim Ji-won suddenly realized—

It's not that the breakup had no impact on him.

Rather, this guy with the incredibly long reaction time hasn't reached his "emo" moment yet.

Just like how he always spends a lot of time studying his characters when he acts.

He also needs a long process to process his feelings.

I'm just numbing myself with work right now.

When there are three cigarette butts in the ashtray.

"Hey."

Kim Ji-won tapped his wine glass with her chopsticks:
What time is the opening ceremony tomorrow?

Kang Jae-hoon came to his senses:
"Meet in the hotel lobby at 8:00."

He stubbed out his cigarette, picked up the newly ordered wine, and drank it all in one gulp.

"Then don't drink it."

"Just two bottles of rice wine."

Kang Jae-hoon smiled and shook his head: "You forgot, at the wrap party for 'The Heirs'..."

The words stopped abruptly.

Speaking of "The Heirs".

The two fell silent simultaneously.

That drama that changed their fate was also the starting point for Jung Soo-jung and Kang Jae-hoon to meet.

"Let's go."

Kim Ji-won got up and picked up her bag:
"I have to get up early tomorrow."

On the way back to the room.

The two walked side by side down the hotel corridor, their footsteps barely audible on the thick carpet.

"Get some rest, don't go on camera with dark circles under your eyes."

Kim Ji-won waved her hand, turned around, and swiped her swipe to open her own door.

The moment the door closed.

She peeked through the crack in the door at the tall figure in the hallway—

Kang Jae-hoon lowered his head, the lines of his neck revealing an indescribable loneliness.

(Those two idiots...)
Kim Ji-won slammed the door shut and threw herself onto the soft bed.

He took out his phone and opened the chat window with Krystal Jung.

My finger hovered over the screen for a long time.

In the end, only one sentence was sent:
Arrived in Jeju Island, everything went smoothly.

After sending the message, I tossed my phone aside and stared blankly at the ceiling.

(What sins have I committed...)
(I have to be sandwiched between these two awkward people...)
(Oh God, could I please get a lighter role next time?)
Kim Ji-won sighed, turned over, and buried her face in the pillow.

outside the window.

The sound of the waves gently lapping against the rocks on the shore of Jeju Island is like a series of helpless sighs.

(End of this chapter)