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

Chapter 133 The Kwang-soo Effect and the Strategist's Further Probing
Seven o'clock in the morning.

Jeju International Airport.

The entire cast and crew of "A Good Day" took the earliest flight back to Seoul.

Director Kwon Hyuk-chan was still reviewing the storyboard on the plane, while the writer sister was engrossed in revising the lines for the last few scenes.

Kang Jae-hoon and Kim Ji-won sat in adjacent seats.

One person is resting with their eyes closed.

One person is looking down at their phone.

This trip back to Seoul was mainly for reshooting the urban scenes.

The scenes filmed in Jeju Island, including the male and female leads' first encounter, their time together, and their confession before parting, have been completed. The storyline after they return to Seoul focuses on their chance encounter with each other again due to work, which leads to a series of misunderstandings, reconciliations, and ultimately a sweet ending.

eight thirty.

The plane landed at Gimpo Airport on time.

The film crew hurried through the terminal.

The wheels of the luggage cart made a soft, crunching sound as they rolled across the smooth floor.

Three minivans were already waiting at the exit.

There was no stopping.

The group headed straight to the pre-booked filming location—

CJ Film and Television Shooting Base.

The film and television shooting base is located in Paju, Gyeonggi Province.

The interior uses a modular design, with each studio divided into standardized scene units.

European-style living rooms of tycoons, hospital wards, prison bars, office buildings...

All the sets were arranged as neatly as an IKEA showroom.

Staff only need to adjust the details of the soft furnishings to quickly switch shooting locations.

The sets needed for the film "Good Days" are all located in Area B:
B403 features a standard office layout, with a backdrop of the Seoul skyline displayed outside the floor-to-ceiling windows.

B405 has been transformed into a publishing house's editorial office, with bookshelves filled with distressed Chinese books.

B407 is a standard urban apartment layout, with the living room connected to the open kitchen.

This is Kang Jae-hoon's first time visiting this modular filming base.

Staff members pushed costumes and props between the different cubicles.

You can occasionally hear the dialogue from the film crew next door.

He was awestruck by this highly efficient, almost ruthless, industrialized production model—

There were no weather issues associated with outdoor filming.

There is no time cost incurred by transitions.

All emotions, atmospheres, and stories are precisely produced within this box constructed of steel and wood.

"Jae-hoon, come and do your makeup."

The makeup artist's voice pulled him back to reality.

"coming."

……

9:50.

A black Hyundai car drove into the underground parking lot of the CJ Film and Television Base.

"arrive."

Wearing a baseball cap, Lee Sung-kyung looked up at the sign of the filming location and said:
"right here?"

“Yes, Jae-hoon said they are in Zone B.”

Lee Kwang-soo had clearly been to a place like this before.

They walked in as if they knew the way inside.

Lee Sung-kyung followed slowly behind him, her hands in her hoodie pockets.

She pulled her hat brim low, revealing only half of her face.

The two took the elevator to the 4th floor.

Behind the soundproof doors on both sides of the corridor, one could faintly hear the sounds of different film crews shooting.

On the left, the sounds of swords clashing from a period drama can be heard, while on the right, there are arguments and dialogues from a family drama.

Lee Kwang-soo stopped at the door.

I took out my phone and sent a message.

Less than ten seconds.

Kang Jae-hoon emerged from the office set in B403—

At that time, his hair was combed meticulously.

The jawline appeared exceptionally sharp under the corridor's overhead lights.

The shadow cast by the brow bone made the eyes appear even deeper.

His well-tailored suit accentuated his masculine charm.

Just as Kang Jae-hoon was about to greet Lee Kwang-soo, his gaze first fell on Lee Sung-kyung behind him:
"coming?"

"Ah."

Lee Sung-kyung slightly raised her chin as a greeting.

"Cough-cough-"

The coughing sound made Kang Jae-hoon's gaze quickly shift to Lee Kwang-soo.

"Long time no see, Kwangsoo hyung."

"haven't seen you for a long time?"

Lee Kwang-soo raised an eyebrow, deliberately drawing out his words: "I think—you didn't even see me, did you?"

"……cough."

Kang Jae-hoon stepped aside to clear the doorway without changing his expression:

"Kwang-soo hyung, why don't you go in and familiarize yourself with the script first?"

Lee Kwang-soo deliberately sighed exaggeratedly:

"Alright, I'll go familiarize myself with the lines first. You two can chat."

After saying that, he slipped into the photography studio and closed the door behind him.

For a moment, only Kang Jae-hoon and Lee Sung-kyung remained in the corridor.

Kang Jae-hoon glanced down at the hood of her sweatshirt:

"Wearing a hoodie in this heat?"

"Sunscreen."

"...Do we need sunscreen indoors too?"

Lee Sung-kyung looked up and said, "What's it to you?"

"..."

Kang Jae-hoon shut up.

The two stood in silence for a few seconds.

Lee Sung-kyung suddenly reached out and gently twisted the collar of his suit jacket:
"The fabric is so cheap, is the production crew really that poor?"

"I feel fine..."

"Tsk."

Lee Sung-kyung paused for a moment, then suddenly released her grip: "You've lost weight."

"what?"

"Face."

Lee Sung-kyung looked away and said, "You've lost weight since the last time I saw you."

Kang Jae-hoon subconsciously touched his chin:

"Have it?"

"Can't you see it when you look in the mirror?"

"..."

There was another moment of silence.

Kang Jae-hoon's gaze swept over the strands of hair beneath her hat brim:
"Did you dye your hair?"

"how?"

"...It looks pretty good."

What does "挺" mean?

"It's just...beautiful."

Lee Sung-kyung pulled down her hat brim and let out a soft hum.

"What about the fitness tracker?"

"Charge."

Lee Sung-kyung pulled her hoodie sleeves down a little more:

Why ask so many questions?

"..."

Kang Jae-hoon's gaze shifted from her wrist to her face.

The shadow of her hat brim obscured most of her expression.

All that could be seen were her tightly pursed lips.

"The Bible."

He suddenly spoke.

"Ok?"

"nothing."

Kang Jae-hoon shook his head and slowly said:

"I just...miss you a little."

The halo of the corridor ceiling light cast a small shadow under his eyelashes.

Lee Sung-kyung remained silent.

Three seconds later.

She suddenly raised her foot and kicked Kang Jae-hoon in the shin—

The force was not strong.

The toe of the shoe left a gray stain on the suit trousers.

"Stop talking nonsense."

Her voice, lowered and devoid of emotion, said, "Go in and film."

The studio door was opened at that moment.

Lee Kwang-soo leaned half his body out:
"Are you two done talking? The director's calling—wait, huh?"

His gaze lingered on the shoe print on Kang Jae-hoon's trouser leg, and his eyebrows rose high.

Lee Sung-kyung had already squeezed through the doorway.

Kang Jae-hoon bent down and dusted off the gray stains on his trousers before stepping into the photography studio.

The door closed behind them.

It blocked out the cold white light from the corridor.

The interior of the tent is a meticulously arranged office scene.

"All right?"

Director Kwon Hyukchan's gaze swept over Kang Jae-hoon and finally landed on Lee Sung-kyung.

"Ah."

Kang Jae-hoon responded.

Lee Sung-kyung bowed and greeted the director.

He then walked to the corner chair on his own.

Her hat brim was still pulled low.

I didn't look at anyone.

He didn't sit down.

He simply hugged his arms and leaned against the cold metal frame.

Like a plant growing quietly.

Lee Kwang-soo waved to Kang Jae-hoon:

"Come on, Jae-hoon, let's go over the words first?"

"it is good."

Kang Jae-hoon withdrew his gaze from Lee Sung-kyung.

Lee Kwang-soo's cameo role as the boss only involves two scenes—

1. The truth about the trip to Jeju Island:

After the male protagonist broke up with his girlfriend, his boss noticed that he was not in a good mood, so he arranged for him to leave Seoul temporarily to relax under the pretext of "inspecting the terrain of the Jeju Island project".

This is why the male lead appears alone on Jeju Island and happens to meet the female lead who is there to gather material.

2. Celebrations after returning to Seoul:

After the male protagonist returned from Jeju Island, his boss specially organized a party for him to drink and celebrate his "rebirth".

This scene not only explains the male lead's personality change (from taciturn to gradually becoming cheerful), but also implies through the conversation at the dinner table that he has completely let go of his past emotional entanglements.

Director Kwon Hyuk-chan pointed to the monitor and explained the directing to Lee Kwang-soo:

"Kwangsoo-ssi, sit here for a moment. Put the documents on the corner of the table. After Hoon knocks and comes in, just hand them to him and say your lines."

"clear."

Lee Kwang-soo walked behind the large desk, sat down, and picked up the props file to flip through it.

The venue staff quickly cleared the area.

Adjust the lights.

Two cameras are in place.

A medium shot of a camera pointed at Lee Kwang-soo behind his desk;

Another camera was positioned to the side, capturing a close-up of Kang Jae-hoon and his reaction.

"Prepare--"

Director Quan's voice rang out in the quiet studio.

"Action!"

The sound of the clapperboard fading.

There was a knock on the door.

"Enter."

Lee Kwang-soo's voice carries a formulaic calmness, completely different from his usual variety show persona.

The door was pushed open.

The male lead, played by Kang Jae-hoon, walks into the office.

He walked slowly, his eyes slightly lowered, carrying the characteristic, preoccupied, and wooden feeling of the character.

The camera zooms in.

Lee Kwang-soo leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table, his fingers interlaced.

"The Jeju Island project needs a topographic surveyor. You can go."

"I?"

Kang Jae-hoon's gaze fell on the document, and he opened it.

His brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.

"Well, consider it a paid vacation."

As Lee Kwang-soo leaned back in his chair, the swivel chair made a slight creaking sound.
"When the sea breeze blows, all your worries disappear, right?"

"Crack!"

Kwon Hyukchan stared at the monitor replay and said:
“Kwangsoo-ssi, make that last ‘right’ more confident, don’t sound like you’re asking him. Be more relaxed in your performance, don’t be so serious.”

"understand!"

Lee Kwang-soo gave an OK sign.

The second take began.

"Just consider it a paid vacation."

Lee Kwang-soo leaned back in his chair, a slightly teasing smile typical of a senior colleague on his face: "And bring back a super beautiful woman."

"Pass!"

Kwon Hyukchan was very satisfied.

Lee Kwang-soo's relaxed demeanor and Kang Jae-hoon's restrained struggle create a subtle tension.

It is more vivid than the simple words on the script.

The photographer quickly stepped forward to adjust the camera position.

A close-up shot of the document being prepared for delivery.

Kang Jae-hoon's gaze involuntarily drifted towards the corner.

Lee Sung-kyung is still leaning there.

She had taken out her phone at some point, her fingertips swiping across the screen, seemingly indifferent to everything happening on set.

"Zai Xun?"

Lee Kwang-soo's voice drew his attention back.

"Ok?"

"What are you looking at?"

Lee Kwang-soo followed his gaze to the corner, a knowing smile playing on his lips, and deliberately raised his voice:

"Could it be that our Miss Lee Sung-kyung is too beautiful, making it hard for someone to concentrate?"

The figure in the corner seemed to freeze for a moment.

The light on the phone screen was quickly turned off.

"No."

Kang Jae-hoon withdrew his gaze and cleared his throat:
"Thinking about the movement in the next shot."

Lee Kwang-soo drawled out an "Oh—" and didn't expose him further.

The close-up shots were successfully filmed.

Director Kwon Hyuk-chan took the camera crew to B405 to film scenes of Kim Ji-won and her cameo as her best friend.

"Let's go, let's go, to the next battlefield!"

Lee Kwang-soo put his arm around Kang Jae-hoon's shoulder and walked towards B407 in the middle of the corridor.

“The Bible, shall we go together?” he casually remarked.

"You go first."

Lee Kwang-soo shrugged and continued walking forward with Kang Jae-hoon by his side.

The set design for apartment B407 is complete.

The coffee table was covered with empty liquor bottles and leftover fried chicken boxes.

The sofa cushions were deliberately thrown about in all directions.

A typical scene of a bachelor getting drunk.

The lighting technician is adjusting the angle of the overhead lights, trying to simulate the warm light of the living room at night.

Lee Kwang-soo casually sprawled on the sofa, flipping through the script.

Kang Jae-hoon stood in front of the open kitchen and pushed the glass of water he had just poured over the island.

Lee Sung-kyung glanced at the water glass that was right next to her, but didn't touch it.

"hand."

Kang Jae-hoon suddenly spoke.

"what?"

"Right hand."

Lee Sung-kyung subconsciously pulled her right hand into her sweatshirt sleeve.

Kang Jae-hoon had already walked around the island platform and stood in front of her.

He didn't touch Lee Sung-kyung's hand, but simply raised his chin and pointed to the outside of her forearm—

There was a two-finger-wide gray stain on the hoodie fabric, as if it had gotten there when it leaned against the metal frame.

"It's dirty."

Lee Sung-kyung glanced down and patted the screen twice.

The gray stain has become more noticeable.

Kang Jae-hoon turned around, grabbed a wet wipe from the kitchen counter, and handed it over.

Lee Sung-kyung took out a wet wipe and vigorously wiped the stain.

The fabric made a rustling sound as it rubbed together.

The sleeve of the sweatshirt slipped down a bit with the movement, revealing a section of fair wrist.

The wet wipe was slapped onto the island platform.

"What are you looking at?"

Kang Jae-hoon's gaze moved calmly from her wrist to her face.

Haven't spoken yet.

The sound of a script being turned came from the sofa.

Immediately afterwards, Lee Kwang-soo's sigh drifted over:

"Gentlemen, could you perhaps find another place to flirt? I'm getting into the mood—"

"Who flirts with him?"

Lee Sung-kyung grabbed a water glass from the island counter and took a swig.

The bottom of the glass gently tapped back onto the table.

Kang Jae-hoon's gaze swept over her slightly reddened ear tips, then fell back on the grime that hadn't been wiped clean.

Then I took out a wet wipe.

He pressed it directly onto the stain on the outside of her forearm of her sweatshirt.

Lee Sung-kyung instinctively tried to pull her hand away.

However, his wrist was gripped by his other hand through the fabric.

"do not move."

Kang Jae-hoon's voice was not loud, but it carried a hint of unyielding authority.

I wiped the wet wipe twice on the light gray sweatshirt fabric.

A small patch of dark water seeped out.

Lee Sung-kyung stared at the wet patch, then looked up and glared at him.

As if he hadn't received her glare, Jiang Zai Xun released his hand, crumpled the used wet wipe into a ball, and accurately threw it into the trash can a few steps away.

"Clean."

He said.

"...Annoying."

Lee Sung-kyung uttered two words stiffly.

As she rolled up a small section of her wet sleeve, a sticky, humming tune came from the sofa—

Like Kim Jong-kook's "Likeable".

Lee Kwang-soo sat with his legs crossed, the script covering his face, only his trembling toes showing.

Lee Sung-kyung grabbed a glass from the island counter, tilted her head back, and gulped down the remaining water in one go.

"Snapped!"

The empty cup was placed back on the table.

"Are you guys still going to rehearse or not?!"

Lee Kwang-soo ripped off the script covering his face, grinning from ear to ear:

"Of course! Actor Jiang, please take your seats—"

The words have not yet fallen.

The studio door was pushed open.

Director Kwon Hyuk-chan walked in with the camera crew and lighting technician.

"Kwangsoo-ssi, Jaehoon, how are the preparations going?"

"We can start anytime, Director!"

Lee Kwang-soo immediately jumped up from the sofa, switching into professional mode in a second.

Kwon Hyukchan's gaze swept over the two people standing by the island platform.

Kang Jae-hoon had already straightened his suit collar and was standing ramrod straight.

Lee Sung-kyung put her hands back in her hoodie pockets, her hood still pulled down, and retreated into the shadows next to the lighting technician's cable box.

Like a drop of water blending into the background.

"it is good."

Kwon Hyukchan nodded, asked no further questions, and walked straight behind the monitor.

"All units, please prepare—"

The lighting team conducted a final check of the lighting.

The photography assistant adjusts the camera position.

The script supervisor stood in front of the camera with a whiteboard in hand.

"Action!"

The sound of the clapperboard fading.

The camera is on.

Lee Kwang-soo's face quickly broke into a slightly tipsy yet happy smile, and his body swayed slightly, as if he were truly drunk.
"Hey! Look at you now!"

He reached out and patted Kang Jae-hoon's shoulder hard, making a crisp sound:

"The feng shui of Jeju Island is truly nourishing! My energy and spirit are completely different from when I was all wilted before I went there!"

He suddenly leaned closer, with a hint of knowing mischief in his eyes:
"Tell me honestly, were you over there... hmm?" He winked and gave you a knowing look. "What 'good thing' happened to you? You're so well taken care of... tsk tsk."

Kang Jae-hoon twitched the corner of his mouth.

He gave a slightly helpless yet relieved smile.

There was no response.

But the small gesture of his fingers rubbing the rim of the cup symbolically suggests that he is thinking of someone at that moment.

"Silence means consent!"

Lee Kwang-soo laughed heartily: "That's right! That's what men are like—"

He leaned back into the sofa, stretched out his long legs, and looked on with the satisfaction of an elder:

"—You have to be able to let go! Let the past be the past, turn the page! Look how good you are now? Clean and tidy, and your eyes are shining again!"

Kang Jae-hoon's fingers hovered over the cold glass.

Lee Kwang-soo's words, "Let bygones be bygones," struck like a needle, unexpectedly piercing a corner of the heart.

(Turn the page...)
The sea breeze from Jeju Island seemed to be blowing on my face again.

When Kim Ji-won says "I like you" in Chinese, he only needs to play the role of a clueless person who doesn't understand.

But at this moment.

Lee Kwang-soo was reciting lines from the script, but to Kang Jae-hoon, they sounded like a verdict against him.

"Clean and tidy, fresh and clean."

"The light in her eyes has returned."

(Light?)
His gaze uncontrollably drifted toward the shadows in the corner.

behind the monitor.

Director Kwon Hyukchan, seeing Kang Jae-hoon's fleeting gaze, not only didn't yell "cut," but instead signaled the cameraman to zoom in for a close-up.

In his eyes.

Kang Jae-hoon did not ruin the performance; instead, he added a layer of complex, unspoken meaning.

During post-production editing, shots of Kim Ji-won were cut in.

The audience would naturally assume that he was thinking about the girl he met in Jeju Island at that moment.

at the same time.

Kim Ji-won, who had just entered the B407 filming studio, happened to see the footage on the monitor.

(That was a really good performance...)
(She's completely lost in memories...)
She also thought that Kang Jae-hoon's gaze was directed at her—

After all, it follows the logic of the plot.

At this moment, the male lead's mind should be filled with images of the female lead she plays.

however.

When Kim Ji-won's gaze followed the extremely brief, almost imperceptible glance Kang Jae-hoon had just given her—

The deliberately dimmed shadow area next to the lightbox.

A figure wearing a gray hoodie and a baseball cap, almost blending into the background.

(That is……)
Kim Ji-won's pupils dilated instantly.

(Lee Sung-kyung?!)

Why is she here? !
Kim Ji-won's brain was working at lightning speed.

Lee Kwang-soo was invited by Kang Jae-hoon to make a cameo appearance.

Lee Sung-kyung...

Did they come with Lee Kwang-soo?
Did Kang Jae-hoon call her?
Kim Ji-won's gaze was fixed on Lee Sung-kyung.

The other person seemed completely unaware of her gaze.

That detached indifference stirred up a sense of anxiety in Kim Ji-won for no apparent reason.

(Things have just calmed down on Yoona's side.)
(Lee Sung-kyung is back!)

A strong urge to do something instantly seized Kim Ji-won.

The sense of defeat I felt when facing Im Yoon-ah in Jeju Island hasn't completely dissipated yet.

Seeing Lee Sung-kyung's "silent yet powerful" way of being present only made her feel more stifled.

She is Krystal Jung's best friend.

At the same time, I am also a staunch supporter of the Channa Party!
Even if Kang Jae-hoon is in better shape now, it doesn't mean he should be taken advantage of by Lee Sung-kyung or Im Yoon-ah!
Little Crystal has only temporarily stepped back; she's not out of the game!
(no……)
(Something needs to be done...)
(……etc!)

The image of Lim Yoon-a flashed through her mind.

Having made up her mind, Kim Ji-won quickly adjusted her expression and walked straight towards the shadow next to the lightbox.

"Bible Unnie?"

She stopped in front of Lee Sung-kyung, her smile carrying just the right amount of surprise: "I didn't expect to meet you here."

Lee Sung-kyung turned her head, her gaze calmly sweeping across Kim Ji-won's face from under the brim of her hat.

It seemed to take her three seconds to match the face with the name.

"haven't seen you for a long time."

"I'm here to reshoot the last few scenes."

Kim Ji-won then stood next to her and took the initiative to explain her presence.

"Did you come here specifically to watch Jae-hoon filming, unnie?"

Lee Sung-kyung's gaze remained fixed on Kang Jae-hoon, who was readjusting himself in the center of the set.
"It is."

"That's it."

Kim Ji-won moved a small half-step closer to her, with a hint of intimacy, as if sharing some inside gossip, and said:

"Speaking of which, when we were filming in Jeju Island before, Yoona unnie also came to visit the set."

The words fell.

Kim Ji-won stared intently at Lee Sung-kyung's reaction.

Three seconds later.

Lee Sung-kyung finally shifted her gaze from Kang Jae-hoon to Kim Ji-won's face.

Her eyes were calm.

Like a deep pool of water.

The pebble that Kim Ji-won threw in didn't seem to create even the slightest ripple.

"Ah."

Lee Sung-kyung responded.

This can be seen as a response to Kim Ji-won's comments about Im Yoon-ah visiting the set.

His voice was flat and emotionless.

(End of this chapter)