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

Chapter 135 Wrapping Up Filming and the New Drama Bible and Yoona [Bonus Chapter 13 for Monthly Tickets] (9K)

Time seemed to have been fast-forwarded.

In the time that followed, Kang Jae-hoon's life precisely replicated the pattern before, and even longer than, that of the characters in "The Heirs"—

early morning.

No matter what time you wake up.

There's always a steaming hot meal on the dining table in the living room.

Sometimes it's seafood noodles, sometimes it's kimchi fried rice with a fried egg, and sometimes it's just simple seaweed rice rolls.

Lee Sung-kyung won't wait for him.

Often, by the time he sits down and starts eating, she is already dressed and ready to go out for a morning run, or stretching in front of the full-length mirror in the living room.

Communication between the two is limited to commands:
"eat."

"Chopsticks."

"milk."

Kang Jae-hoon responded with a vague "hmm" or "oh".

Around 8 o'clock.

Two short car horns will sound downstairs right on time.

While complaining about the horrors of Seoul's morning rush hour, Kim Dae-won floored the gas pedal, driving towards the CJ Studios in Paju, Gyeonggi Province.

His scenes with Kim Ji-won progressed smoothly and steadily.

Kang Jae-hoon could feel it himself—

The gloomy feeling that was ingrained by the character of Cho Tae-oh on the set of "Veteran," as well as the depression after a breakup, are being gradually washed away by this routine that is almost mechanical.

We finished work in the evening.

The nanny van will take him back to Seongsu Cave.

Open the door.

The familiar scent of lavender mixed with air freshener.

Sometimes Lee Sung-kyung exercises on a yoga mat spread out in the living room;
Sometimes she still hasn't come back.

Kang Jae-hoon would reheat the leftovers from the refrigerator or cook a bowl of ramen.

The TV in the living room was on, playing documentaries or variety shows.

Not loud.

It's just background noise filling the space.

Take a shower, read a script, and go to sleep.

so cycle.

A stable triangle formed by the apartment, film set, and gym.

This almost rigid routine, like an invisible hand, tightened and recalibrated the rhythm of his life that had been torn apart over the past few months.

day to day.

It's as regular as the hands of a clock.

Until the afternoon of September 8th, a week later.

"Crack!"

Director Kwon Hyuk-chan stared at the final frame on the monitor—

That was a close-up shot of the male lead, played by Kang Jae-hoon, and the female lead, played by Kim Ji-won, walking side by side on a ginkgo avenue in early autumn, their fingers tentatively exploring, hesitating, and finally gently intertwining.

Kim Ji-won's fingers are fair and slender, her nails are neatly trimmed, and the pink nail polish makes her skin look even fairer.

Kang Jae-hoon's hands are large and long, with well-defined joints and a healthy tan complexion, exuding a sense of strength.

The camera cuts up to a close-up of the two people from the chest up:
Kim Ji-won turned her head slightly to look at Kang Jae-hoon, her clear eyes seeming to hold a pool of startled water as she stared intently at Kang Jae-hoon's face, almost holding her breath.
The male lead, played by Kang Jae-hoon, also turned his head, looking back with a deep gaze, his pupils reflecting only the person in front of him.

This scene features the most intimate and emotionally charged contact in the web series "Good Days".

The entire drama follows a pure love story that couldn't be purer, relying on the warmth accumulated in daily interactions and the subtle chemistry between the actors.

There were no hugs, no kisses.

There wasn't even a clear "I love you" from them.

Both Kang Jae-hoon and Kim Ji-won accurately grasped this balance.

The actress perfectly portrayed the innocent yet beautiful feelings between the outgoing and adorable female lead and the reserved and warm-hearted male lead.

Director Kwon Hyuk-chan slowly looked away from the monitor.

He looked at Kang Jae-hoon in the center of the set, then slowly swept his gaze over the tired but expectant staff around him, and finally a clear smile appeared on his lips.

"I hereby declare—"

"Good Days! Filming has officially wrapped!"

After a brief silence.

Cheers, applause, and whistles erupted instantly.

"Thank you for your hard work! Everyone, thank you for your hard work!"

"Happy filming!"

"Thank you for your hard work, Director!"

The sounds of gratitude and farewell mingled together.

"..."

The taut string suddenly loosened.

The staff members patted each other on the shoulder.

The prop master put down the heavy box.

The lighting technician rubbed his aching shoulders.

Both of them wore relieved smiles.

The stagehand, carrying a bouquet of flowers, smiled and shoved it into Kang Jae-hoon's arms.
"Jaehoon-ssi, you worked so hard! Your acting was fantastic!"

"Thank you."

Kang Jae-hoon bowed slightly to express his gratitude while holding the bouquet.

Kim Ji-won also received her own bouquet, and she was smiling as she hugged and thanked the staff who surrounded her.

At this time.

Director Kwon Hyuk-chan stood up and clapped his hands to quiet everyone down:

"Everyone! I'm treating you to barbecue tonight at 7 PM! Please come and join us!"

"Long live the director!"

"Barbecue! Barbecue!"

"..."

The commotion on set continued.

Kang Jae-hoon maintained a polite smile as he responded to each farewell and congratulation.

But the unique emotion that comes with the end of filming was quietly brewing in my chest—

The relief of being relieved of a heavy burden was mixed with a sense of emptiness and bewilderment.

"Jae-hoon, let's go!"

Kim Dae-won stood beside the van and waved vigorously at Kang Jae-hoon.

Kang Jae-hoon snapped out of his daze, and with the bouquet in his arms, bowed goodbye to Director Kwon Hyuk-chan and the staff who were still packing up.

I opened the car door and got in.

The aroma of leather and car fragrance wafts over you.

Kang Jae-hoon placed the bouquet on the empty seat in the back and looked out the window at the rapidly receding street scene, which made the sense of emptiness even more pronounced.

What’s next?
Back to the apartment?
Gym?
Go see the cats?
still is……

The car was not traveling in the direction of the familiar Seongsu Cave.

"Where?"

Kang Jae-hoon turned his head and asked.

"You'll know when we get there."

Jin Dayuan kept everyone in suspense, but pressed the accelerator even harder.

Kang Jae-hoon didn't ask any further questions, but just looked at the changing street scene outside the window and guessed their destination.

Until the car turned into a familiar neighborhood and stopped in front of a well-maintained, though not new, multi-story apartment building—

Hwang Jung-min's home.

"Teacher's house?" Jiang Zaixun was somewhat surprised.

"Go on up, your teacher is waiting."

Jin Dayuan turned off the engine and gestured for him to get out of the car.

With a sense of doubt, Kang Jae-hoon walked up the stairs and knocked on that familiar door.

The person who opened the door was Hwang Jung-min himself, wearing loose home clothes, with a hint of weariness in his eyes, but he looked to be in good spirits.

"You're here? Come in." Huang Zhengmin stepped aside.

The room was quiet.

Kang Jae-hoon changed his shoes with practiced ease:

"Where is Zaiyu?"

"He's too naughty. Let's send him to his aunt's house for a couple of days."

Hwang Jung-min pointed to the sofa in the living room, then walked to the window.

The cool air of early autumn rushed in.

He lit a cigarette and casually tossed the pack towards Kang Jae-hoon.

Kang Jae-hoon hurriedly reached out and caught the cigarette box.

He watched the teacher's back as he stood by the window, puffing out smoke, and his sense of bewilderment at being called there deepened.

(Could it be...)
(Did the teacher find out about your breakup with Krystal?)

"...Have you been smoking less?"

Lost in thought, Hwang Jung-min's voice pulled him back to reality.

The smoke obscured his facial expression, but his eyes remained unusually sharp.

Jiang Zaixun nodded honestly:

"I quit while filming in Jeju Island."

Hwang Jung-min did not comment further on this answer.

He turned around and walked to the low cabinet next to the sofa.

Open the drawer.

He took out a not-so-thick notebook from inside.

The notebook cover is a simple white with a few bold black Korean characters printed on it.

"Snapped."

The notebook was gently tossed onto the coffee table in front of Kang Jae-hoon.

Kang Jae-hoon's gaze fell on the cover—

Himalayas

He froze for a moment.

Himalayas?

This name...

It seems to have little to do with South Korea.

"have a look."

Kang Jae-hoon put down his cigarette case and picked up the script.

Turn to the title page.

What comes into view is a slightly smaller subheading and a list of people:

(Based on a true story)
Director: Lee Seok-hoon
Role:

Eom Hong-gil (Captain) – Hwang Jung-min
Park Moo-taek (team member) —?
……

Scroll down further.

It is a short biography of a person.

Pu Wu Zhai...

Kang Jae-hoon's eyes quickly swept over those lines of text, and his heart skipped a beat.

This name...

he knows!
It was that South Korean mountaineer who died on Mount Everest!

MBC produced a documentary called "The Promise of the Himalayas," which detailed Park Moo-taek's life and the rescue process.

Just a few days ago, Kang Jae-hoon came across this documentary while watching TV at home.

Turn the pages of the script.

Story synopsis, character designs, preliminary filming plans...

Kang Jae-hoon read very quickly.

My heart rate gradually increased.

This play...

Is it to film the famous Mount Everest disaster of 2004?

He plays Park Moo-taek?!
To play a real person whose ending was so tragic?
This pressure...

This role is incomparable to any of the roles I've played before!
Kang Jae-hoon suddenly looked up at Hwang Jung-min, his eyes filled with astonishment and questioning.

Grayish-white smoke swirled and rose in the light from the window.

Hwang Jung-min leaned against the window frame, his gaze calmly watching the shifting shock and solemnity on Kang Jae-hoon's face:
"Do you want to act?"

This question crashed into the quiet living room.

Kang Jae-hoon unconsciously tightened his grip on the script.

Do you want to act?

Of course!
Pu Wu's house.

A real name, burdened with a tragic end—

Playing such a role would be an incredibly tempting opportunity for any ambitious actor.

The pressure was immense, like a mountain hanging upside down.

But what surged in his blood was a burning desire for conquest.

Kang Jae-hoon nodded vigorously, each word sounding like a resolute determination carved from his chest:
"Yes! Teacher, I can act!"

Hwang Jung-min was not surprised by his reaction.

He took a drag of his cigarette, his gaze drifting to the somewhat hazy early autumn sky outside the window, as if he could see something much farther away through that grayness.

Hwang Jung-min's status in Chungmuro ​​has long surpassed that of a mere actor.

CJ Entertainment is trying to solidify its relationship with him.

They offered an incredibly high box office revenue share that was impossible to refuse.

The condition is that Hwang Jung-min's three major future works must be bundled with CJ Investment and distribution.

This is both a standard business tactic of securing top actors and a deeper level of capital operation.

By transforming Hwang Jung-min's "golden brand" into a highly convincing "cultural asset" for CJ, the box office exploded, causing the stock price to soar, and the top-level capital tycoons successfully cashed out.

Himalayas is the first work born from this strategic cooperation.

CJ needs a blockbuster project that can resonate with the public's emotions, possess both artistic depth and commercial potential, and Hwang Jung-min's name is the best guarantee of box office success and quality assurance.

In this project, CJ gave Hwang Jung-min a great deal of say, especially in the selection of key partners.

He needs actors who can create chemistry with him and handle challenging scenes with him.

For the role of Park Moo-taek, Hwang Jung-min thought of Kang Jae-hoon almost without hesitation.

There is no other reason.

First, there is the master-apprentice system.

Hwang Jung-min admires Kang Jae-hoon's tenacity and relentless drive to constantly push his own limits.

He saw potential in this promising talent and was willing to lend a helping hand.

This reflects the deep-rooted "mentoring" mentality among the older generation of artists on Chungmuro ​​Road.

The second is more realistic—

Kang Jae-hoon is still carrying the aftermath of the Sewol ferry disaster.

Although he has earned a lot of genuine respect in the industry, mainstream television stations and big-budget productions still have many concerns when casting him.

After all, the commercial risks of an actor who was summoned by the Ministry of Culture for "inappropriate remarks" and caused a large number of endorsements to be lost are something that production companies have to consider.

This invisible "cold shoulder" made it extremely difficult for Kang Jae-hoon to receive top-tier resources after "Veteran".

Hwang Jung-min's move is both a continuation of the tradition and a way to use his own resources to "fill in" for him.

This will prevent him from being excluded during the period when he should be accumulating experience.

Park Moo-taek, a mountaineering hero who embodied a spirit of sacrifice and represented national honor.

This was a golden opportunity for Kang Jae-hoon.

This demonstrates both the depth and versatility of their acting skills.

It can also completely shed the "troublemaker" label and regain the favor of the capital market.

This is more than just acting.

It was also a pivotal transformation and redemption in Kang Jae-hoon's acting career.

"Take the script back with you."

The upward curve of Hwang Jung-min's lips was clearly visible.

He was clearly very satisfied with Kang Jae-hoon's answer.

It's good to have ambition.

The path to the mountain has no place for those who shrink back.

"Come with me to Nepal in three days to experience it firsthand."

Nepal?

"Spend a few days in Kathmandu, then go to Everest Base Camp, breathe in the thin air, and see real snow-capped mountains. Experience what people standing in that place are really thinking."

"understand!"

Huang Zhengmin stubbed out his cigarette and waved his hand:
"Alright, see you at the airport in three days. Go ahead."

"Please get some rest."

Kang Jae-hoon picked up the script and bowed deeply to him.

……

The wrap party for "A Good Day" that evening was held at a newly opened barbecue restaurant in Hongdae.

Long grill tables are arranged in a row.

The charcoal fire was blazing.

The aroma of meat mixed with the scent of shochu filled the air.

The sounds of clinking glasses, laughter, and sizzling oil on the grill mingled together.

Crowded.

Director Kwon Hyuk-chan, beaming with pride, delivered his remarks.

Kim Ji-won sat opposite Kang Jae-hoon.

Occasionally, when their eyes meet, she will smile and raise her glass in a gesture of greeting.

However, Kang Jae-hoon's attention had already been divided in two.

Half of it was about dealing with the lively atmosphere of clinking glasses and exchanging toasts, while the other half felt like being immersed in the icy world described in the script, where the temperature was tens of degrees below zero and the air was thin, with the sound of wind whistling through the ice walls echoing in my ears.

This led him to eat a token amount of food, and then, under Kim Dae-won's cover, he got up early to say goodbye to the director and the main cast, citing "work commitments for tomorrow."

Director Kwon Hyuk-chan patted him on the shoulder understandingly:

"Thank you for your hard work! Looking forward to the release of 'A Good Day'! See you next time we can work together again!"

"Thank you, Director!"

Kang Jae-hoon bowed again, then left the noisy barbecue restaurant carrying the barbecue he had specially packed for Lee Sung-kyung in advance.

……

It was completely dark outside the barbecue restaurant.

As Seoul's neon lights illuminated one after another, the flow of cars heading home was transformed into streams of light.

The car drove into the familiar streets of Seongsudong.

It finally stopped in front of that five-story apartment building.

The motion-activated lights in the hallway turned on in response.

The narrow staircase was bathed in a dim, yellowish light.

"Click."

A familiar scent came to my face.

The living room lights were on.

The television was broadcasting the nighttime news.

Lee Sung-kyung nestled in the center of the sofa.

The skin, freshly bathed, gleamed with a healthy glow under the light.

Two long, straight legs were casually draped over the sofa armrests, like two pieces of fine white jade, with a healthy pink tinge at the knees. The sound of the door opening was heard.

She looked up and gazed over.

My gaze first fell on Kang Jae-hoon's face, then slid to the white plastic lunchbox with the barbecue restaurant's logo that he was carrying.

However, Kang Jae-hoon had just placed the barbecue lunchbox on the coffee table.

Available in the next second.

The foot, still damp from resting on the edge of the sofa, kicked him squarely in the side without any hesitation.

Not very powerful.

But the meaning it conveys is incredibly precise—

Take it away.

Kang Jae-hoon was jolted by her kick.

He glanced down at the faint wet footprint on his pants, then looked up at her tense little face. He obediently bent down, picked up the still-warm foil packet, and turned to walk towards the kitchen refrigerator.

When Kang Jae-hoon returned to the living room.

In addition to the script for "Himalaya," he also dragged his laptop out of his room.

Turn on.

The screen lit up with a faint blue light.

打开浏览器。

Fingers swipe rapidly across the touchpad.

The light from the screen shone on Kang Jae-hoon's focused face.

He first searched for the name "Park Moo-taek", opened the encyclopedia page, and then entered keywords such as "2004 Mount Everest disaster" and "Park Moo-taek documentary".

Webpage loading.

One by one, black-and-white or color photographs appeared on the screen—

Snow-capped mountains, a figure in heavy mountaineering gear, Park Moo-taek's resolute face, and that famous group photo taken at the campsite.

He clicked on a video link.

It's a clip from the MBC documentary "The Promise of the Himalayas".

The sound of howling wind and snow immediately poured out from the laptop speakers.

Kang Jae-hoon immediately reached out and turned down the volume.

But his gaze remained fixed on the screen, his brow furrowed, his expression more serious and focused than ever before. He even swiped his finger across the touchpad, trying to zoom in on the details of the mountaineer's eyes beneath his mask.

Lee Sung-kyung's gaze had somehow shifted from the television screen to Kang Jae-hoon's focused profile. It lingered for a moment, then slowly moved downwards, finally settling on the white-covered script beside him.

She didn't ask any questions.

I didn't bother him.

He simply leaned forward slightly, stretched out his arm, and very naturally crossed the edge of the low table in front of Kang Jae-hoon, pinched the edge of the script with two fingers, and gently dragged it in front of him.

Kang Jae-hoon seemed completely absorbed in his search.

They were completely unaware of her actions.

Lee Sung-kyung was unhappy with what she saw.

Occasionally, I will skip long sections of descriptive text or descriptions of scenes and environments.

The wind outside the window stirred the balcony curtains, bringing in a touch of early autumn coolness.

On the TV.

A news anchor is reporting on the latest developments in the international foreign exchange market.

The two people in front of the coffee table—

One person is immersed in a search for life and death.

A person quietly reads a true tragic song of wind and snow.

The clatter of computer keyboards and the rustling of pages turning mingled in the quiet living room.

It became the most comforting background sound of the night.

I do not know how long it has been.

The laptop screen dimmed.

Kang Jae-hoon's eyelids began to droop heavily.

The fatigue from prolonged periods of intense mental concentration, combined with the lingering effects of alcohol, finally surged back in overwhelming force.

He nodded his head, trying to stay awake, but ultimately couldn't resist the onslaught of drowsiness.

finally.

His head tilted.

She gently leaned back against the sofa.

His breathing became even and long.

aside.

Lee Sung-kyung looked at him quietly for a while before silently standing up.

She carefully closed his laptop screen first.

Then, I went back inside and took out a thin blanket.

He bent down and gently spread it over Kang Jae-hoon's body.

She carefully tucked the gap at his shoulder.

Do it all.

Lee Sung-kyung stood there and quietly looked at him for a few more seconds.

finally.

She turned around barefoot and quietly walked back to her room.

……

The next three days.

Kang Jae-hoon's life was completely compressed into two points—

The apartment has a desk and a gym near the Holy Water Cave.

The script for "Himalaya" lying open on the desk has never been closed.

Scattered around were printed materials about Park Moo-taek's life, a map of the Mount Everest climbing route, screenshots from the documentary "The Promise of the Himalayas" downloaded from the internet, and even several books on high-altitude physiology and basic mountaineering knowledge.

He filled the script with annotations of different colors, and every line of Park Moo-taek's lines was accompanied by tiny footnotes.

Suggestions include motivation, emotional shifts, subtext, and even subtle body language.

The wastebasket was filled with crumpled draft paper, covered with repeated writings of characters' inner monologues and scene emotional analyses.

He almost forgot about the time.

Food left by Lee Sung-kyung on the dining table in the living room is often left to cool down before being hastily eaten.

Sleep was compressed to the extreme.

Only when he goes to the gym for high-intensity physical training can he briefly escape from that frozen, snow-covered world, using muscle soreness and sweat to offset the enormous mental pressure.

Time flew by amidst tireless research and intense physical training.

Before we knew it, it was the afternoon of May 11th.

The sky outside the window was clear and the sunlight was bright.

My trip to Nepal is just around the corner.

Jiang Zai Xun closed the heavy documents and rubbed his sore eyes.

Suddenly I remembered something else—

Lim Yoona is so busy with work...

Is the calico cat alright?

Somehow.

Before leaving, he still wanted to touch that warm, furry little thing with his own hands.

He took out his phone and dialed Yoona's number.

The phone rang a few times before being answered, and the background noise was somewhat loud.

"Zai Xun?"

Yoona's voice came through the airwaves, accompanied by the background sound of her softly saying to the person next to her, "Please wait a moment."
"what happened?"

"I...I'm going to Nepal for a while, and before I leave I'd like to visit...cats. Is that convenient?"

Nepal?

"Um……"

There was a two-second silence on the other end of the phone, followed by Yoona's crisp and decisive reply:

"Don't you know the password? I still have work to do, and I don't think I'll be finished for a while."

The indistinct shouts of staff came from the background. Yoona seemed to cover the microphone and whisper a response before continuing to speak to him:

"Sorry, the staff is calling me. You can go directly there."

"Okay, you're busy."

"OK Bye Bye."

Kang Jae-hoon breathed a sigh of relief after hanging up the phone.

I knew she wasn't home.

That invisible pressure vanished instantly.

The upscale apartment complex in Cheongdam-dong remained as quiet and solemn as ever.

Kang Jae-hoon swiped his card, entered the elevator, and entered his password with practiced ease.

070805--

Fingertips touched the cold number keys, producing a soft ticking sound.

The door lock opened with a click.

The scent of peaches, reminiscent of Yoona's private space, wafts over you.

The temperature and lighting in the room were just right.

Outside the huge floor-to-ceiling windows is the bustling Seoul skyline, and further away are the shadows of rolling mountains.

The calico cat was curled up in its rattan cat bed covered with a soft, sun-drenched blanket, sleeping on its back.

Hearing the door open, it perked up its ears alertly and looked over with its round cat eyes.

Upon recognizing Jiang Zaixun, it lazily meowed, stretched, and walked over with elegant cat steps, affectionately rubbing its head against his trouser leg.

"Little princess?"

Kang Jae-hoon crouched down and tentatively called out.

The calico cat immediately responded with another "meow," its tail held high and circling around his legs.

His nerves, which had been tense for days, strangely relaxed when he saw the familiar and affectionate kitten.

Kang Jae-hoon spent nearly two hours playing with the cat on the sunny balcony.

I brushed its fur, fed it some treats from the small bag next to its bowl, and even picked up the squashed feather mouse it had played with and shook it. Time flowed peacefully amidst the cat's sweet meows and the shifting sunlight, and my heart gradually calmed down.

The sun outside the window was already setting in the west.

Kang Jae-hoon checked the time; it was time to go back. He got up, put away the kitten's food and water bowls, and then left.

He was bending over to change his shoes.

at this time--

Suddenly, the sound of a keypad beeping came from the entryway!
Kang Jae-hoon froze instantly.

Doorway.

Lim Yoona opened the door and walked in.

She had clearly just finished work, her face still bearing a delicate makeup. She wore a beige silk shirt and light brown wide-leg pants underneath, with a thin trench coat on top, and a pair of stiletto heels on her feet.

He was carrying a rather heavy-looking commuter bag, looking travel-worn, but his eyes remained bright and alert.

The two people inside and outside the door looked at each other.

Jiang Zai Xun's expression froze instantly. The relaxed posture he had been maintaining while playing with the cat on the sofa vanished completely, and he involuntarily shrank half a step into the corner of the entryway wall, his back seemingly straightening up a bit.

I just wanted to check on the cat while its owner was away.

As a result, they were caught red-handed.

At this moment, a man and a woman are alone in a room.

Adding to the previously subtle atmosphere.

This made Kang Jae-hoon feel inexplicably awkward.

Lin Yoona took in his subtle movements.

Those beautiful doe eyes were filled with a gentle smile:

"What's there to be nervous about? I'm not going to eat you."

She gently closed the door.

I casually draped the trench coat over the coat rack in the entryway.

Bending down to take off his shoes.

When you bend your slender ankles, you get a stunning glimpse of your beautiful leg lines.

Kang Jae-hoon quickly looked away as if he had been burned.

All I could do was stare intently at the sneaker I was wearing, which was already half-worn.

It was as if a flower had suddenly bloomed on it.

My nostrils were filled with the sweet fragrance she brought with her, a blend of peach perfume and the outside air, much stronger and clearer than before.

Lim Yoona didn't seem to have any intention of going inside immediately.

She leaned against the coat rack and watched him.

The faint, subtle curve at the corner of her lips never faded: "In such a hurry to leave?"

Her voice was as sweet as honey, warm and soft:
"The little princess was so excited to see you, why don't you spend some more time with her?"

The voice just fell.

As if it understood, the calico cat immediately came over from the balcony with a "meow" and started circling around Kang Jae-hoon's trouser leg.

Kang Jae-hoon glanced at the clingy little thing at his feet, then at the undeniable smile on Lim Yoon-a's face, and the words of refusal stuck in his throat. He silently took off the sneakers he had only half-put on and neatly placed them back next to the shoe cabinet.

"Sit down for a while. I just got back, so I need to catch my breath."

As she spoke, she led the way to the bar counter in the open kitchen and poured two glasses of water.

The sound of flowing water is clear and melodious.

The knocking dispelled the slight tension that had been lingering in the entryway.

Lim Yoona gently pushed a glass of water toward Kang Jae-hoon, casually starting the conversation: "Going on a trip to Nepal?"

"No."

When the conversation turned to serious matters, the unease in Kang Jae-hoon's eyes lessened somewhat:
"I want to experience the high-altitude environment firsthand to prepare for a mountaineering movie."

Lim Yoona leaned against the bar, picked up her water glass, took a small sip, and listened attentively with perfect poise.
"A mountain climbing movie? An inspirational film? It must be really tough, right?"

"……Um."

Kang Jae-hoon nodded, and the words about pressure and preparation flowed out uncontrollably.

From understanding the characters to the upcoming physical training.

His tone clearly showed his commitment and seriousness in facing the challenge.

"I've been looking at materials and watching documentaries these past few days, and the more I watch, the more I feel... how far away I am from him. Such high mountains, such cold weather..."

Kang Jae-hoon's tone was filled with awe for that environment and that person, as well as a longing to get closer yet a deep understanding of the difficulties involved. He even took out his phone and showed Im Yoon-ah several photos he had saved of Park Moo-taek during his lifetime:
"Look, this is the senior. His eyes... are very different."

Im Yoona leaned closer and looked carefully at the photo on the screen:

"Hmm, he seems like a very strong and pure person. A mountaineer... truly remarkable."

She paused, then looked up at Kang Jae-hoon, her eyes clear and encouraging: "But Jae-hoon, you can definitely do it well. The fact that Hwang Jung-min chose you proves that you can do it. The effort you put into the role will definitely be reflected on the screen."

Her affirmation was like a warm breeze.

It gently brushed away the heavy pressure in Kang Jae-hoon's heart.

Yoona noticed his subtle change, and changed the subject, her tone becoming softer and more conversational:

When are you leaving? How long will you be staying in Nepal?

"The flight is tomorrow afternoon."

Jiang Zai Xun put away his phone: "We'll go to Kathmandu for a few days first, then go to Everest Base Camp. The specific timing will depend on the teacher's arrangements."

"Oh, tomorrow..."

Im Yoona seemed to suddenly remember something, let out a soft "Ah," and looked at Kang Jae-hoon with a mischievous smile in her eyes:
"I almost forgot about the real thing."

She stood up and walked towards the heavy work bag in the entryway.

Kang Jae-hoon looked at her blankly as Lim Yoon-ah took out a flat, simple yet textured dark gray cardboard box from her bag. There was no logo on the box.

She walked back and handed the box to Kang Jae-hoon.

"This is……?"

Looking at the pure confusion in his eyes, Lim Yoona's doe eyes curved into crescents:
"Isn't tomorrow your birthday, Mr. Kang Jae-hoon?"

Kang Jae-hoon was completely stunned.

He instinctively took the box.

My mind went blank for a few seconds.

Birthday?

He then suddenly remembered.

tomorrow.

9 month 12 day.

It is indeed his birthday.

I've been completely absorbed in the script and materials for "Himalaya" these past few days, and I've completely forgotten about this.

"Thank you...thank you."

He held the box, unsure of what to say.

This gift came so suddenly.

Especially in this context.

"Open it and see if you like it."

With a slightly smug smile on her lips, Lim Yoona sat back on the sofa and looked at him leisurely.

Upon hearing this, Kang Jae-hoon unwrapped the packaging paper.

Open the dark gray hard gift box.

Inside, a pair of professional-grade windproof goggles lay quietly.

The lenses have a high-grade coating, and the frame is made of lightweight carbon fiber. The design is simple and streamlined, exuding the ruggedness unique to professional mountaineering gear. Next to it is a pair of thick, warm mountaineering gloves with a soft fleece lining and a durable reinforcement layer on the back of the hand.

"Going to such a high and cold place, the ultraviolet rays must be very strong. Ordinary sunglasses definitely won't be enough. These goggles are very effective at protecting against wind, sand, and strong light, and the gloves are both warm and flexible, so they should come in handy. This is just a small token of my appreciation, and I hope they can... protect you and keep you safe."

This gift was given with great care.

It suits the harsh environment he is about to face without appearing overly intimate or ambiguous.

The balance was just right.

Kang Jae-hoon felt the cold touch and delicate texture of the carbon fiber.

A complex warmth welled up in my heart.

Looking into Yoona's sincere and gentle smiling eyes, he hesitated for a moment before finally saying solemnly:

"...Thank you. I really...need it."

Im Yoona watched his reaction with satisfaction, her smile deepening.
"It's good that it's useful. It's getting late, and you have to catch a flight tomorrow, so go home and get some rest."

Kang Jae-hoon then realized that time had passed.

I quickly and carefully put the goggles and gloves back into the box and closed it.
"Okay, I'll leave first."

"Go ahead. Be careful and take lots of photos in Nepal to share with me."

Lim Yoona escorted him to the entrance.

The door closes.

It blocked out the warm indoor lighting and the aroma of peaches.

The gentle smile on Lim Yoon-a's face slowly faded.

She walked to the huge floor-to-ceiling window and watched as Kang Jae-hoon's figure disappeared into the night below.

After standing quietly for a while, I took out my phone and quickly typed a few keywords into the screen—

[Himalaya - Director Lee Seok-hoon]

[2004 Mount Everest Disaster - Park Moo-taek]

[Everest Base Camp - Environment]

The search page instantly displayed a dense array of results.

My eyes quickly scanned the news headlines, documentary links, and related reports.

Im Yoon-ah clicked on a page that provided a detailed introduction to Park Moo-jae's life.

They looked at it very carefully.

When the page scrolled to a photo of Park Moo-taek and his wife, her finger paused for a moment, and her gaze lingered on the woman's face with her simple and warm smile for a few seconds.

Then, continue sliding down.

The dim light from the screen illuminated Yoona's serene profile.

The only sound in the living room was the occasional purring of the calico cat.

(End of this chapter)