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

Chapter 130 Bracelet Controversy and Yoona's Cameo
The next morning.

Seven-thirty.

The opening ceremony for "Good Days" was so simple it was almost perfunctory.

There was no red carpet, no incense table, no media interviews, and they even skipped the official costume photos, directly using screenshots from the show as promotional material.

Director Kwon Hyuk-chan simply led the lead actors in making a "V" sign at the camera.

They then announced the official start of filming.

The morning shoot took place at the airport.

The first shot shows the two passing each other at the airport.

A fateful coincidence left Kang Jae-hoon somewhat dazed as he stood in the departure hall of Jeju Airport—

The same glass curtain wall.

The same broadcast announcement.

Even the route taken by the extras pushing the luggage cart seemed familiar.

The only difference is——

Xing Lu at Vienna Airport possessed a broken beauty;
At this moment, Kim Ji-won is like a radiant little sun.

The moment the clapperboard clicked shut.

Kang Jae-hoon immediately switched to a wooden state.

His bewildered look as he pulled his suitcase around was a stark contrast to his disheveled appearance smoking in the restaurant the night before.

at the same time.

Kim Ji-won is also seen in the shot, looking for directions while following airport signs.

Her current look is a qualitative leap compared to the disastrous bangs hairstyle she sported in "The Heirs"—

Her long hair was cleverly braided into a side braid.

It retains the softness of long hair while adding a touch of neatness through braiding.

A grey cardigan is worn over a striped shirt, paired with light-colored jeans and canvas shoes.

She exudes the fresh and elegant charm unique to female protagonists in art films.

The cell phone rings suddenly.

The male lead, played by Kang Jae-hoon, stopped and took out his vibrating phone from his pocket.

Just as he looked down to answer the phone—

The female lead, played by Kim Ji-won, brushed past him while dragging her suitcase.

The hems of their clothes briefly touched and then separated in front of the camera, like two clouds brushing past each other.

Director Kwon Hyuk-chan, behind the monitor, watched the playback twice.

The composition is fine.

The lighting and shadows are fine.

The extras' positioning was also fine.

"Cut! Next round!"

The next scene was also filmed at the airport.

This drama adopts a production model of "overall shooting + post-production fine editing".

The advantage is that it saves money.

Instead of following the traditional sequential shooting process of TV dramas, all scenes in the same location can be filmed in one go, greatly reducing the cost of frequently changing sets.

The downside is that it presents a huge challenge for the actors.

You have to portray a variety of completely different emotional states in a single day.

Without a gradual build-up of emotions, actors must enter a completely different psychological state the moment filming begins.

This kind of jump-shooting style is a huge test of the actors' concentration.

"Action!"

The clapper rang out crisply.

The same departure hall.

The same glass curtain wall.

Even the route taken by the extras pushing the luggage carts was exactly the same as in the previous scene.

Kang Jae-hoon wore the same navy blue trench coat as when he first arrived in Jeju Island (in his first scene), but presented a completely different image—

The slightly hunched back of the past is now ramrod straight;
The posture of dragging the suitcase changed from tired to light;
Even the corners of her mouth held a faint smile.

in front of the monitor.

Director Kwon Hyuk-chan repeatedly watched the return shot that had just been filmed—

As Kang Jae-hoon stood in front of the check-in counter, he subconsciously looked back as he received his boarding pass.

This impromptu action suddenly gave the scene a soul—

It was as if he was anticipating the appearance of a certain figure, or as if he was saying goodbye to the island that had healed him.

"Perfect."

The director couldn't help but murmur his praise.

The same airport scene.

The same clothes.

Kang Jae-hoon used only subtle body language to portray the complete arc of the character's growth.

When he first arrived in Jeju Island, he was a dejected man, crushed by a broken heart.

When he left, he was a bright young man who had been reborn.

Such performances are so precise they border on extravagant.

"Cut! Scene change!"

The director's shout was crisp and clear.

It's not that Kang Jae-hoon and Kim Ji-won's acting was impeccable—

It's purely because airport filming locations are rented by the minute, and the production team's budget simply can't afford the meticulous work involved.

The scenes outside the airport were much easier.

The Jeju Island Tourism Authority provided the film crew with a subsidy on the condition that the local scenery be fully showcased in the drama.

International airport taxi bus stop.

The male lead, played by Kang Jae-hoon, is looking down at a map on his phone.

A five- or six-year-old boy was running around recklessly in the waiting area with a toy airplane.

The child's mother ignored the disapproving looks from those around her.

When the naughty child bumped into Kang Jae-hoon's shin for the third time.

He turned around, squatted down, and made a funny face to amuse the child.

Unexpectedly, the mischievous child suddenly burst into tears, pointing at Kang Jae-hoon and shouting:
"Mom! He yelled at me!"

The mother of the naughty child rushed over in one stride.

Without a word, she shielded the child behind her and launched into a tirade against Jiang Zai Xun. Her shrill voice drew the attention of the surrounding passengers.

Kang Jae-hoon tried to explain.

But he was rendered speechless by the other party's words, "How can such a grown man bully a child? Don't you have any shame?"

at this time--

The female lead, played by Kim Ji-won, suddenly "accidentally" bumped into the mother.

The coffee in my hand "just happened" to spill onto the other person's shoes.

"Oh, I'm so sorry."

Kim Ji-won apologized verbally, but a sly glint flashed in her eyes:

"I have poor eyesight, and my hands tend to shake when I see unreasonable people."

"..."

"Crack!"

in front of the monitor.

Director Kwon Hyuk-chan repeatedly watched the playback footage of what had just been filmed.

When the male lead, played by Kang Jae-hoon, squatted down, his eyes held a gentle helplessness.

Even if you are unreasonably accused.

His first reaction was to try to explain rather than argue.

His inherent honesty and kindness were vividly displayed through his slightly drooping shoulders and bewildered gestures.

Kim Ji-won's performance, however, was more nuanced.

The slight raise of an eyebrow when bumping into someone, the feigned innocence when the other person gets angry, and the cunning glint in the eyes when apologizing.

All of this instantly added a touch of playfulness and sharpness to this seemingly gentle character.

Kwon Hyukchan nodded in satisfaction.

This approach of shaping characters through details rather than dialogue is precisely the performance effect he strives for.

"Cut! Scene change!"

According to the standard TV drama filming process—

Such conflict scenes would require at least reshooting shots of the onlookers' reactions, and might even need close-ups of the child's mother.

However, "Good Days" is a web series with each episode only ten minutes long.

All redundant shots must be discarded.

Kang Jae-hoon's awkwardly scratching the back of his neck, Kim Ji-won's triumphant smirk, and the exasperated yet helpless expression of the child's mother—

That's enough for the audience to imagine the complete conflict scene.

Sometimes, leaving blank spaces is the most sophisticated form of storytelling.

After filming at the airport, the crew immediately moved to an abandoned police station office in Seogwipo City.

After a simple setup, the film crew hung up a sign that read "Jeju City Police Department".

The walls were covered with signs that read "No Smoking" and "Safety First," and the desk was piled with an old-fashioned computer and mountains of documents.

In order to save costs.

The film crew only rented the space for half a day.

Therefore, it was necessary to complete the filming of two scenes with drastically different emotions within this period of time.

This scene consists of two parts.

These correspond to the first encounter and the separation of the male and female protagonists, respectively.

The first scene is where both of them coincidentally come to report a theft.

The male protagonist, played by Kang Jae-hoon, sat awkwardly in the police station, describing to the police how his wallet was stolen.

He had practiced his micro-expressions repeatedly while traveling, specifically after his wallet was stolen.
From the shock of discovering the wallet was missing;
From the panic of turning over every pocket in my body;

The final image is of him giving a helpless, bitter smile while his eyes dart around as he gives a statement at the police station.

While the police were taking notes.

Kim Ji-won burst through the door in a flurry of activity—

Fate is so coincidental.

The two of them were stunned for a moment when their eyes met.

(It's the one from the airport yesterday...)
Kang Jae-hoon's eyes shifted from surprise to hesitation, and then to a subtle sense of helplessness, as if asking, "You're just as unlucky as me?"

Kim Ji-won raised an eyebrow and smiled slightly, as if to say, "What a coincidence."

The policeman looked at the two men and suddenly laughed:

"Were you two robbed together?"

"No."

"No."

The two answered in unison.

Then, this synchronization caused a slight awkwardness.

The police officer shrugged and continued taking notes.

After recording.

The police cooked ramen for the two men.

While they ate, I recommended that they stay at "Rose B&B" for a while.

Kang Jae-hoon held the instant noodle bowl with a touch of caution, his eyes appearing exceptionally gentle in the steam. Kim Ji-won's movements as she twirled the noodles with her chopsticks were playful, and her smile as she chatted with the police was so bright it seemed to dispel the endless rain on Jeju Island.

This scene was filmed in one take.

In an attempt to portray a state of hunger due to lack of money for food, Kang Jae-hoon ate too quickly and burned his tongue.

Kim Ji-won was so amused by his embarrassing appearance that she burst out laughing.

Ultimately, director Kwon Hyuk-chan chose the improvised version over the original.

After all, humor that comes from everyday life is much more interesting than a rigid, formulaic plot.

After this scene was over.

The two went to change clothes and then filmed the next scene.

The author described the female lead as a great beauty.

With a limited budget.

The production team allocated most of the costume budget to the character styling of Kim Ji-won.

The writer sister's character is very clearly defined—

The most effective way to help a heartbroken male protagonist quickly get over his breakup is to meet a stunning new love.

Therefore, Kim Ji-won prepared ten different styles of clothing for the drama.

From artsy floral dresses to tailored shirts and jeans;
From beach vacation-style maxi dresses to hiking gear.

Each outfit is carefully coordinated to ensure that her beauty is showcased from every angle.

As for Kang Jae-hoon...

The writer's sister's original words were:

"Having that face is enough; I'd even wear a burlap sack."

So he reduced his wardrobe to only three sets—

The disheveled trench coat I wore when I first arrived in Jeju Island;
A plaid shirt paired with jeans for everyday wear;

And finally, the urban elite outfits worn after returning to Seoul.

Before filming the second scene.

The makeup artist gave Kim Ji-won a more refined makeup look, changing her lip color from light pink to a gentle mauve.

She changed into a floral dress.

A small hair clip adorns the ends of her hair, showcasing her gentle and adorable temperament.

Kang Jae-hoon simply tidied his hair to make the stray hairs on his forehead look more natural.

"Action!"

The same police station setting.

The same police role.

However, due to subtle differences in facial expressions and movements, they present completely different emotional levels.

In the first scene, Kang Jae-hoon kept unconsciously touching the back of his neck, his eyes darting around;

And then came the second scene.

His shoulders relaxed considerably, and even his smile became brighter.

Kim Ji-won's performance remained unchanged; she acted the same way in the first scene as in the second.

It's not that her acting skills are bad.

The changes in Kang Jae-hoon beside him speak volumes.

This kind of growth isn't achieved by piling up lines.

It is conveyed through countless subtle body language.

Before leaving Jeju Island.

The two men presented a box of ramen to the police officers who had helped them in the first place to express their gratitude.

The police officer took the ramen noodles, smiling and joking:
"Even though you lost your wallet, you've found your destined one, haven't you?"

"It's a blessing in disguise, so please make sure to come to Jeju Island for your honeymoon in the future!"

As he spoke, he unexpectedly took their hands together.

The sudden physical contact made them both recoil as if electrocuted, and they simultaneously began to explain—

"That's not how it works!"

"You misunderstood!"

The moment when the sounds overlapped.

The two exchanged a glance and then quickly looked away.

Kang Jae-hoon pretended to be interested in the slogans on the wall, while Kim Ji-won tucked her hair behind her ear to hide her panic.

The most difficult part of this scene is capturing the "sense of proportion during the ambiguous period".

Too much and it's greasy; too little and it's bland.

After all, only two weeks have passed in the story.

And the performances of Kang Jae-hoon and Kim Ji-won—

A fleeting glance, yet unable to resist stealing a look;
She pretended to be calm, but the tips of her ears turned red.

The two perfectly captured the cautious, tentative feeling of being in a relationship during the early stages of budding romance.

Even though her heart was already filled with ripples, she still maintained a safe distance from him.

It perfectly captures the subtle feeling of being "more than friends, but not quite lovers".

After watching the playback twice on the monitor, the director behind it shouted "Cut!" with satisfaction.

After filming the police station scenes was completed.

The film crew immediately moved to a real-life guesthouse in Seogwipo City, Jeju Island.

This will be the starting point of the male and female protagonists' cohabitation, and also one of the core scenes of the entire drama.

Rose B&B.

Wooden beams and blue tiles.

Wind chimes hang under the eaves.

There are several orange trees planted in the yard.

In this scene.

Upon hearing that the two had been pickpocketed, the kind-hearted guesthouse owner immediately pressed them down at the dining table and went to the kitchen to prepare food.

Kang Jae-hoon had already eaten ramen at the police station.

But when the old lady brought out the steaming hot seafood pot, he immediately sat up straight and respectfully accepted the bowl and chopsticks with both hands.

Even more amazing is—

When he noticed that Kim Ji-won was clearly unable to eat the rice in her bowl, he very naturally poured the rice from her bowl into his own.

In the monitor.

Kang Jae-hoon's puffed-out cheeks and his expression as he tried to suppress a burp created a wonderfully comedic effect.

Kim Ji-won's gaze lingered between his forcedly relaxed smile and his hand that was quietly rubbing his stomach.

The final image captured a subtle expression that fell between being touched and amused.

That fleeting glance was the starting point for the female lead's attraction to the male lead.

……

6:30 PM.

The setting sun painted the roof of the Rose Guesthouse orange-red.

Director Kwon Hyuk-chan glanced at the shooting schedule, then looked up at the sky—

Today's filming went much more smoothly than expected.

The airport and police station scenes, originally planned for two days, were filmed in one day, and the first scene at the guesthouse was also filmed in addition.

That's all for today, let's call it a day!

The director suddenly announced.

A burst of cheers erupted on set.

Kang Jae-hoon and Kim Ji-won exchanged greetings with the staff.

The stagehands were busy packing up equipment, the lighting technicians were tidying up cables, and the makeup artist was carefully removing Kim Ji-won's lip makeup.

"Meet at 7 a.m. tomorrow for the morning scene."

The assistant director reminded him, holding up the call sheet.

"clear."

"..."

After the crowd dispersed, the two of them breathed a sigh of relief in unison.

Kim Ji-won kicked off her canvas shoes and stepped barefoot onto the wooden floor of the guesthouse.

Kang Jae-hoon walked to the orange tree in the yard and looked up at the darkening sky.

The sound of waves could be heard in the distance, mixed with the clear tinkling of wind chimes.

"Would you like to go for a walk on the beach?"

Jiang Zaixun turned his head——

The afterglow of the setting sun shone on Kim Ji-won's profile, and her eyes took on an amber hue in the backlight.

He stared at her for two seconds and nodded.
"it is good."

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, carrying a salty, damp scent, caressed my cheeks. The fine sand shifted and changed shape with the ebb and flow of the tide.

Kim Ji-won walked barefoot on the wet sand, with waves occasionally washing over her ankles.

Kang Jae-hoon followed behind her, keeping a step's distance.

How many relationships has Teacher Jiang had?

Kim Ji-won's voice was somewhat muffled by the sea breeze.

Jiang Zaixun was stunned for a moment:
"Why do you ask this suddenly?"

"Just asking. After all, we're acting in a romance drama, so it's not unreasonable for us to know about your romantic history, is it?"

"I had three relationships in the drama, but in real life... Krystal is my first love."

Kang Jae-hoon answered honestly.

"..."

Kim Ji-won kicked at the fine sand beneath her feet, hesitated for a long time, and finally asked the question that had been lingering in her mind for so long:

"So... why did you break up?"

The sea breeze tousled her hair, a few strands clinging to her lips. She had originally resolved not to ask about it—

After all, the "Do not ask the reason for the breakup" note I wrote in my memo the day before yesterday is still fresh in my mind.

But Kim Ji-won also knew very well—

How can you prescribe the right medicine if you don't understand the situation?

How can I help them reconcile if I don't know the root of the problem?
If it weren't for her help, those two awkward people might have missed each other for a lifetime...

Kang Jae-hoon gazed at the distant horizon where the sea met the sky and remained silent for a long time.

The waves crashed against the rocks, splashing up tiny white foam.

"Perhaps... he got too into character?"

"Or is it……"

He bent down, picked up a seashell, and twirled it between his fingers:

"We are all still not mature enough."

Kim Ji-won was not surprised by this vague answer.

Hearing even a few words about the breakup from him was far better than Krystal Jung's "That's it."

Although there are still things left unsaid, it is at least a good start.

She bent down, picked up a flat stone, and weighed it in her hand:
"If... I mean if... when you all meet again after you've both matured, will you still..."

The words were not finished.

The stone spun and bounced four or five times on the water's surface before sinking.

Kang Jae-hoon watched the ripples spread, his eyes flickering slightly.

He understood the unfinished question.

The sea breeze suddenly became gentle.

The sound of fine, rippled waves flowed between the two of them.

"maybe."

Kim Ji-won squinted and looked at the horizon.

This can't be rushed, she thought to herself.

Anyway, there's still over a month of filming time left, enough for her to slowly pry open this taciturn man's mouth. As the "matchmaker" who brought them together, she now has a responsibility to help them resolve their inner conflicts.

As for Krystal Jung...

First, deal with this taciturn guy, then go back and persuade that stubborn girl.

The sun has completely sunk below the horizon.

The last rays of orange-red sunset shone on the two of them.

"Let's go back and memorize our lines."

Kim Ji-won shook her head and turned to walk towards the hotel.

(These two tsundere girls, what will they do without me...)
(well……)
(The task is arduous and the road ahead is long...)
The next morning at seven o'clock.

The filming of "Good Days" at the Rose B&B began on time.

This scene picks up where yesterday's police report left off—

The male lead, played by Kang Jae-hoon, has his wallet and all his cash stolen, leaving him with only a cell phone;
In contrast, the female lead played by Kim Ji-won has her phone and luggage stolen, but her wallet is spared.

This twist of fate foreshadows the two being forced to travel together.

On the monitor screen—

Kim Ji-won walked towards Kang Jae-hoon, who was looking at a map in the yard.

"Um...can I borrow your phone to make a call?"

The angle at which she tilted her head slightly was just right, making her appear both pitiful and dignified.

Jiang Zaixun turned his head.

Sunlight streamed through the gaps in the leaves and fell precisely on his eyelashes.

When handing over the phone, I subconsciously wiped the screen before handing it over.

The director gave this detail a special close-up.

Even though they are the ones who should be helping, they are always worried about causing trouble for others.

After the call is connected.

Kim Ji-won's expression shifted from apprehension to surprise, and finally settled on a helpless compromise.

"Senior, I'll rent a new phone tomorrow..."

"Today's the notification? But..."

She bit her lower lip and looked at Kang Jae-hoon, who was pretending to be focused on studying the map, but his ears were secretly perked up.

Finally, she sighed and said, "Then call this number to find me."

After hanging up the phone.

She hesitated for a long time before asking Kang Jae-hoon to accompany her.

"My senior said he needs to contact me today with an important message... Could I use your number temporarily?"

"I can cover today's meal expenses!"

Her hurried attempt to add something made the director behind the monitor smile.

"Cut, get ready for the next scene."

Staff immediately stepped forward to change Kim Ji-won's makeup.

The next scene was not filmed sequentially according to the plot, depicting the events that happened between the two on their first day.

Instead, the scene was filmed in the same location, connecting to the bathroom scene on the morning of the second day of the story.

"Action!"

The sound of the clapperboard rang out.

The bathroom door handle made a slight clicking sound.

Kim Ji-won stood sleepily outside the door, her hair disheveled and sticking up, clearly not fully awake. She groggily pulled the doorknob—

The door opened.

In the steamy bathroom, Kang Jae-hoon was showering with his back to the door. Water streamed down his back, the lines of his shoulder blades appearing and disappearing in the steam. Hearing a noise, he turned around abruptly—

Eyes facing each other.

Kim Ji-won's pupils dilated instantly, and she was wide awake.

"Yeah, sorry!"

She slammed the door shut, her movements so quick she almost pinched her own fingers. Through the door, her voice trembled with panic:
"I...I didn't see anything! Really!"

The sound of footsteps faded into the distance, accompanied by her incoherent shouts:

"Mom! I saw everything—!"

The elderly woman at the guesthouse peeked out from the kitchen upon hearing the noise. She glanced at Kim Ji-won, whose face was flushed, then at the closed bathroom door, and suddenly realized:

"Oh dear, that doorknob has been broken for ages."

She shook her head, her tone as flat as if she were discussing the weather:

“My son-in-law always says he’ll come to fix it, but I’m afraid he’ll only come after I’m dead.”

behind the monitor.

Director Kwon Hyuk-chan stared at the playback footage—

Kim Ji-won's micro-expression transition from dazed to startled is textbook-worthy.

Especially the little gesture of secretly spreading your fingers.

It perfectly conveyed both embarrassment and curiosity.

Although Kang Jae-hoon only appeared from behind, his stiff shoulder and neck lines perfectly conveyed his shock and embarrassment.

The most brilliant part was the old lady's witty remark.

It both explained the plot holes and added a touch of everyday humor.

Kwon Hyukchan stroked his chin thoughtfully:
This unexpected scene produced a more vivid comedic effect than the script suggested. Perhaps we could consider keeping a few more seconds of Kang Jae-hoon's back view during post-production editing?
after all……

Ratings need moments like this "bonus".

"This is the way to go!"

……

During the transition period.

Kim Ji-won hid in a corner and drank ice water to cool down.

She was indeed startled during the filming.

Although I knew Kang Jae-hoon had a good physique, seeing it in person was still too shocking.

(You can't tell this idiot is dressed like that at all...)
She subconsciously touched her burning cheeks.

not far away.

Kang Jae-hoon was standing in front of the monitor watching the playback.

Her profile was focused and gentle, a stark contrast to her sexy image in the bathroom just moments before.

(No wonder that girl, Soojung...)
Kim Ji-won shook her head sharply, banishing the inappropriate thoughts from her mind.

The most important thing now is to help them reconcile, not to be seduced by beauty...

Right?

……

We just finished filming the morning scene in the drama where Kang Jae-hoon takes revenge on Kim Ji-won while she's taking a shower on the third day.

While he was watching the replay, a stagehand suddenly tapped him on the shoulder:

"Actor Jiang, someone is looking for you!"

Kang Jae-hoon was taken aback and looked up at the entrance to the film set—

Lim Yoona was standing outside the police line waving at him.

Her smile was dazzlingly bright in the sunlight.

"How did you come?"

Kang Jae-hoon quickly went to greet him.

"I happened to be in Jeju Island shooting a pictorial, and I heard you were filming here, so I thought I'd drop by."

As she spoke, Lim Yoona subtly sized him up.

(You've lost a bit of weight.)
(But his mental state is still good.)
Kang Jae-hoon glanced silently behind her—

(On the way?)

The assistant was carrying bags and bags of gifts, which were clearly prepared in advance.

The interaction between the two quickly attracted the curious attention of the entire crew.

When the crowd realized that the person who had come in was Yoona from Girls' Generation, the scene immediately erupted in excitement.

Wow! It's Yoona!

"My God, she's even prettier in person than on TV..."

Director Kwon Hyuk-chan also stood up in surprise:

"Yoona-ssi has come to..."

"Sorry to disturb your filming, I brought some snacks for you."

Yoona bowed gracefully.

She gestured to her assistant to distribute the prepared coffee and cake to the staff.

"..."

“Jaehoon—”

Director Kwon Hyukchan suddenly waved to Kang Jae-hoon.

"What's wrong director?"

Director Kwon Hyukchan didn't say anything, but his gaze towards Im Yoon-ah was surprisingly bright.

Kang Jae-hoon followed his gaze—

She was bending down to hand a glass of iced Americano to the lighting technician, her smile incredibly gentle.

"director."

Kang Jae-hoon lowered his voice: "You wouldn't be thinking of..."

"Since Yoona-ssi is already here..."

"I could hear your scheme all the way in Seoul."

"A three-piece suit! Tailor-made!"

Jiang Jae-hoon: “…”

Two sets!

"……Row."

When Kang Jae-hoon walked up to Lim Yoon-ah, she was handing the last iced Americano to the production assistant.

"Is filming going smoothly?"

Yoona turned to look at him, casually tucking a stray hair behind her ear.

"It went quite smoothly."

Kang Jae-hoon hesitated for a moment, but still mustered up the courage to speak:
"Um... Yoona, the director has a favor to ask..."

Im Yoona blinked:
"Ok?"

"that is……"

Kang Jae-hoon organized his thoughts:

"In this drama, there's an ex-girlfriend of the character I play. She doesn't have many scenes, just a few shots..."

The more he spoke, the quieter his voice became.

I have this strange feeling that I'm betraying my friends.

"A cameo role? My appearance fee is very high~"

After hearing this, Lim Yoona deliberately teased him.

"Ah this..."

"We're just a small workshop..."

"Limited funds..."

"so……"

Remembering the two suits the director had promised, Kang Jae-hoon finally steeled himself and clasped his hands together in prayer:

"please!"

Seeing his pleading look, like a stray cat waiting to be fed, Lim Yoona couldn't help but chuckle.
"Since you're so sincere, alright then~"

"Really?"

"Of course~"

……

A corner of the film set.

Kim Ji-won watched the interaction between the two thoughtfully—

Kang Jae-hoon's helpless demeanor and the tender smile that Im Yoon-ah couldn't hide in her eyes both made her sense something unusual.

wrong!

Fragmented memories are being pieced together in Kim Ji-won's mind like puzzle pieces.

She used to think that Lim Yoona wouldn't be interested in a newcomer like Kang Jae-hoon.

But right now, Yoona gives off the feeling of enjoying this hunt.

Those smiling eyes held a dangerous, confident air, as if she could devour this naive prey at any moment, if she so desired.

Kim Ji-won suddenly realized that she might have been wrong from the very beginning—

What killed the relationship between Kang Jae-hoon and Jung Soo-jung was perhaps never the so-called "being too immersed in the role" or "not being mature enough".

What truly destroyed this relationship was the endless stream of unwanted romantic advances surrounding Kang Jae-hoon.

It was Jung Soo-jung's growing insecurity.

Kang Jae-hoon's gentleness is genuine, but his obtuseness is enough to kill any expectation.

Just like he may never understand—

Why would Krystal Jung care about something like "going to Yoona's concert"?

Why does Krystal Jung suddenly fall silent every time Lee Sung-kyung is mentioned?

Kim Ji-won squinted her eyes.

His gaze swept back and forth between Lim Yoon-ah and Kang Jae-hoon.

She suddenly realized a crucial issue—

Does Lim Yoon-ah know about Kang Jae-hoon and Jung Soo-jung's past relationship?

(If they knew the truth, why did they still do this...)
(That would be a completely different matter.)
But whether she knew it or not, she had to do something.

Kim Ji-won walked calmly to the director behind the monitor and casually suggested:
"Director, I think we can add a detail—have the male lead wearing a bracelet given to him by his ex-girlfriend."

She gestured to the position of her wrist:
"So when he takes off the bracelet in the future, it will mean that he is saying goodbye to the past completely."

Director Kwon Hyuk-chan thought for two seconds and then nodded in agreement.

This setting does indeed enhance the character's growth arc.

not far away.

Kang Jae-hoon was explaining the character setting of the ex-girlfriend to Lim Yoon-ah using the script.

This character only serves as a flashback in the story.

Even so, Kang Jae-hoon still wrote a short biography for the character.

The intention was to add more layers to the performance.

But I never expected it would come in handy now.

Lim Yoona rested her chin on her hand as she listened attentively to his explanation of the character's setting.

Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on his profile and making Kang Jae-hoon's focused eyes and brows appear exceptionally handsome.

After a long pause, Im Yoona suddenly asked:

Do you have any kissing scenes in the drama?

Kang Jae-hoon paused for a moment, then subconsciously shook his head:
"No, this is a pure love drama."

This answer is half true and half false.

The script did indeed originally include a kissing scene.

But before filming began.

Kang Jae-hoon and Kim Ji-won both sent long essays to the writer sister.

One person subtly indicated that "it was too awkward to film a kissing scene with my ex-girlfriend's best friend."
One person frankly admitted, "Kissing my best friend's ex-boyfriend gives me nightmares."

The writer sister was both amused and exasperated.

Ultimately, the kissing scene was changed to a more subtle expression of forehead touching.

The two were chatting.

Kim Ji-won walked over with an innocent smile on her face, holding a silver bracelet that the props team had just prepared:

"Jaehoon oppa~"

She deliberately emphasized the word "Oppa" in front of Yoona, making it so sweet it gave even herself goosebumps.

This was actually the first time she had addressed Kang Jae-hoon in that way.

Kang Jae-hoon was clearly taken aback by the title and froze.

Even Yoona raised an eyebrow.

"This is a prop added by the director."

Kim Ji-won shook the silver bracelet in her hand:
"I couldn't find the matching couple's outfit you and Krystal wore, but that shouldn't affect your acting, right?"

She casually mentioned Krystal Jung's name, but her eyes were fixed on Yoona's reaction.

(Didn't you like to act like a gentle, older sister?)
(Then let you pretend to your heart's content.)
The set instantly became so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

The lighting crew member's hand, holding the reflector, froze in mid-air;
The makeup artist froze, her hand still holding the powder puff.
Even the photographer who was adjusting the equipment quietly lowered his movements.

Director Kwon Hyuk-chan pretended to look down at the playback, but actually peeked at the three people's reactions through the gap above the monitor.

The assistant director tactically drank water, raising the cup to his lips and never putting it down;
Even the elderly lady at the guesthouse poked her head out from the kitchen, her cloudy eyes gleaming with gossip.

Everyone appears to be busy with their own things.

But their ears were all standing very high.

The sea breeze, carrying a salty, fishy smell, swept across the film set.

But the eerie silence could not be dispelled.

(End of this chapter)