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

Chapter 147 When "The Producers" Clashes with "Train to Busan"

to be frank.

Kang Jae-hoon was definitely not Cha Tae-hyun's first choice for the role of Baek Seung-chan, the rookie PD in "The Producers".

Affection is affection.

In the realm of core circle resource recommendations, the priority ranking is always a cold and practical matter.

Cha Tae-hyun's own entertainment company also signs artists.

—For example, Park Bo-gum, who has only recently begun to emerge in the public eye.

With her clean and refreshing image and natural likability, she is a diamond in the rough that the company has high hopes for.

Cha Tae-hyun had considered diverting this wealth to his own field.

But the Producers project is too heavy a burden.

Who is Park Ji-eun?
He is the national screenwriter who wrote the top hit drama "My Love from the Star"!
She is a top-tier writer who rivals Kim Eun-sook and each shines in their own way!

The project she led.

Even under the guise of a "variety show experiment".

That's a top-tier talent pool that countless actors would fight tooth and nail to get into.

At the project's creative meeting, Park Ji-eun gave an extremely clear and almost rigorous description of the core character setting of "Baek Seung-chan":

"To truly support the entire slightly absurd variety show structure, one's basic acting skills must be sufficient to hold one's own against an actress of Gong Hyo-jin's caliber, and one must be able to naturally showcase a kind of simple-minded, natural bluntness in the subtle transitions between layers."

Cha Tae-hyun's mind immediately shifted after hearing this.

Park Bo-gum is good.

However, in terms of audience recognition and the versatility to handle the complexities of the characters portrayed by Park Ji-eun...

They're all still a bit lacking.

Let's have a very straightforward competition—

Park Bo-gum starred in the phenomenal blockbuster "The Admiral: Roaring Currents".

His character, Bae Soo-bong, had almost the same amount of screen time as Kang Jae-hoon's character, Nam-jin, in "Ode to My Father".

There are even two or three more shots.

Wasn't The Admiral: Roaring Currents a hit?
More than 1700 million viewers, a record in film history!

Isn't Park Bo-gum handsome?

Her appearance and demeanor are absolutely up to par.

however.

What was the actual outcome?
In the tumultuous waves stirred up by "The Admiral: Roaring Currents," the name Pei Shuifeng remained completely undisturbed.

And Kang Jae-hoon.

Just look at that one arm with bulging veins in the trailer for "Ode to My Father".

And a roguish smile that's a mix of wildness and recklessness.

It forcefully cleaved a sliver of light through Hwang Jung-min's suffocating performance storm.

It made the name "Nanzhen" memorable to millions of viewers!
Even in the subsequent official release.

His scene involving a water rescue.

It also became one of the catalysts for the emotional climax in the middle of the movie.

This is the absolute difference in an actor's ability to "capture attention".

They are born to work in front of the camera.

There is a visible gap between them and promising talents who grow step by step.

in fact.

This is not the most critical.

There are no secrets in the Chungmuro circle.

Cha Tae-hyun would know this with just a little inquiry—

Kang Jae-hoon's current seemingly unpopular situation is just a facade.

He has Huang Zhengmin, a towering figure, as his backing.

The resource network is exceptionally clear.

He played the leading role in a Sino-Korean co-production once ("For Love or Money," although it flopped).

The core characters in two CJ Entertainment films with investments exceeding 10 billion won ("Veteran" - a madman criticizing the scoundrel Cho Tae-oh, and "Himalaya" - a tragic mountaineer Park Moo-taek).
He worked with top directors like Ryoo Seung-wan and Lee Seok-hoon.

and.

Because of his remarks after the Sewol ferry disaster, Kang Jae-hoon was once targeted and suppressed as a "scapegoat."

But KBS was precisely the television station that, despite immense pressure and defying the authority of the Blue House, insisted on reporting the truth about the Sewol ferry disaster.

This courage to "defy superiors" and the sense of responsibility to public conscience.

This naturally makes TV stations hold actors with clear stances and integrity in higher regard.

Kang Jae-hoon and KBS are, in a sense, "comrades".

……

Taking all the above factors into account.

Cha Tae-hyun recommended Kang Jae-hoon to play "Baek Seung-chan" to Park Ji-eun and KBS.

It's no longer simply about "mentoring the younger generation".

Instead, it is a highly valuable "strong alliance" and "mutually beneficial cooperation".

Cha Tae-hyun used this recommendation.

This would both solidify her relationship with Kang Jae-hoon and ensure her influence within the inner circle.

After all, maintaining a relationship solely through drinking and chatting is just a superficial facade.

There is no sustained, substantial, interdependent bond of interests or resource sharing.

Even the closest brotherhood.

Sooner or later, they will also be in fierce competition for resources.

It fell apart.

Simultaneously.

It also adds another highly topical and acting-oriented element to the ambitious production "The Producers."

This recommendation kills more than three birds with one stone.
It's practically a classic example of how to navigate social interactions.

……

aside.

Kang Jae-hoon became more and more engrossed as he flipped through the script.

They even ignored the sizzling sound of the grilled meat.

Park Ji-eun wrote a very good script.

It has a "meta-fiction" feel to it.

Metafiction —

It means that the creator uses their own creative process as the main material to create a fictional story that occurs in reality or arises from reality, thus achieving a realistic sense of life.

For example—

"W - Two Worlds," starring Lee Jong-suk and Han Hyo-joo, is a typical example of the "metafiction" genre.

Another example.

"What to Do When the Female Lead Runs Out of the Book," written by the great author Ji Cha, also deeply practices the narrative mode of "metafiction."

In today's Korean entertainment industry...

The mainstream narrative still focuses on romantic love and family ethics.

It rarely touches upon the "metafiction" narrative mode of "fictional reflection".

therefore.

Kang Jae-hoon is very interested in screenwriter Park Ji-eun's innovative and forward-thinking work.

Until the core synopsis of the character was fully read.

He suddenly raised his head, his eyes shining with an astonishing light:

"Brother, thank you! This role... is fantastic! I'll get in touch with writer Park Ji-eun as soon as possible!"

Cha Tae-hyun took a satisfied gulp of wine and waved his hand dismissively:
"No need to thank me, just give a good performance!"

Lee Kwang-soo, who was standing next to him, immediately interjected, feigning displeasure, and nudged Cha Tae-hyun with his elbow:
"Brother! You're being unfair! You only think about Jae-hoon when it comes to such a good script! What about me? What about my recommendation?"

"you?"

Cha Tae-hyun rolled his eyes and retorted irritably:

"You should wash away your 'bad luck' aura first! Which production team would dare hire a walking source of bad luck like you? Would they recommend you for a jinx role?"

"Hahaha--"

A burst of laughter erupted instantly.

Even the usually composed Zhao Yincheng couldn't help but smile.

Kang Jae-hoon laughed so hard his shoulders shook.

My heart is filled with the warmth of being accepted by the community and teased by my seniors.

Lee Kwang-soo: "..."

I was just joking with you, and you hit a nerve, didn't you?

You're not leaving tonight!
……

The night deepened.

The party is over.

Alcohol flows through the bloodstream.

As Kang Jae-hoon went downstairs, he was hit by a cold wind.

My thoughts were not clear.

On the contrary, it has become increasingly...

It amplified the echoes of certain thoughts.

Lee Sung-kyung...

How long has it been since I last saw her?

She went to the set of "Queen's Flower" while I was on the set of "Himalaya".

At least……

It's been a month?
Perhaps the alcohol from the mixture of Moutai and baijiu amplifies the senses.

Perhaps it was the script in his arms that brought him such great aspirations for the future, and he desperately needed an outlet to share them.

He barely thought about it.

When the designated driver opens the car door and gets in.

Kang Jae-hoon blurted out the wrong address for Seongsu-dong.

But -

"Go to Ilsan MBC Center."

The designated driver was a slightly overweight middle-aged man.

He glanced at Jiang Zai Xun in the back seat through the rearview mirror; Jiang's face was flushed and his eyes were clearly unfocused. He hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.

But he silently started the car anyway.

The car drove away from the bustling city center.

The lights outside the window gradually thinned out.

The car was going very fast.

Jiang Zai Xun felt that the light trails left by the car headlights in his vision were becoming increasingly blurry.

He tried to stay awake by leaning against the car window.

My eyelids are getting heavier and heavier.

The head was nodding little by little.

……

"Sir? Sir?"

The driver's voice sounded like it was coming through thick cotton wool.

Kang Jae-hoon suddenly woke up.

He shook his head vigorously, which felt heavy.

The view outside the window had transformed into the outline of the massive film set complex at the Ilsan MBC Center.

The searchlight shone on the iron-gray wall.

The open outdoor area was deserted and quiet.

Only a few cars were parked in the designated parking spaces.

"arrive."

"Oh, thank you."

Jiang Zai Xun took out several 10,000 yuan bills and handed them over.

Close the car door.

The cool, fresh air gave him a slight boost of energy.

He shook his head.

Trying to shake off the lingering dizziness and drowsiness.

Walk toward one of the stagehands who looks like the person in charge:

"Hello. I'm here to see Lee Sung-kyung."

The security guard, using the light, could clearly see the highly recognizable face under the baseball cap.

stunned for a moment.

I immediately realized that it was that young actor who had recently made a stunning appearance in "Ode to My Father".

"Oh! Kang Jae-hoon-ssi?"

He immediately adopted a polite, even slightly excited, attitude:

"The Bible xi is filming a night scene! Studio B! I'll take you in!"

"Thanks……"

We passed between several film studios with huge screens and various period props.

The iron gate at the entrance of shed B was opened a crack.

moment.

A warm breeze wafted over, carrying the scents of intense sunlight, artificial smoke, and expensive perfumes.

The shed was brightly lit.

It was as busy as another day.

The setting is a lavish living room.

The staff are busy tidying up the debris after filming in preparation for moving to another location.

Kang Jae-hoon's gaze passed through the moving light fixtures and shadows.

They quickly located the person standing in front of the surveillance equipment not far away.

Lee Sung-kyung, dressed in the dress from the drama with a large down jacket casually draped over her shoulders, intently stares at the monitor screen in front of her as it plays the replay.

It seemed to be some kind of subtle movement.

Or intuition.

Lee Sung-kyung subconsciously turned her head away.

Their eyes met.

shed door.

Kang Jae-hoon waved at her with a silly grin on his face.

Lee Sung-kyung's eyes widened instantly.

Obviously, this was unexpected.

But then.

Those eyes always held a hint of impatience or scrutiny.

A glimmer of light flashed by extremely quickly.

It was as fast as a shooting star streaking across the night sky.

She immediately resumed her nonchalant demeanor.

He whispered something to the director.

Then he turned around.

He walked steadily toward the shadowy area by the door where Kang Jae-hoon was.

I stopped just a step away from him.

Those beautiful round eyes narrowed slightly.

Lee Sung-kyung clearly saw the unusual blush on his face.

I smelled it, an overwhelming, undeniable...

The smell of alcohol.

"……How did you come?"

Kang Jae-hoon's silly grin widened even further.

Looking at the face so close to me, clearly showing fatigue yet still so vibrant.

Alcohol-numbed nerves temporarily paralyze the function of filtering shame.

The words hidden in my heart suddenly burst forth:
"I just miss you."

The answer was frank and direct.

Before the words had even finished, the words were spoken.

Lee Sung-kyung's pupils visibly contracted!
It was like being caught off guard by this overly direct impact.

Under the bright lights inside the studio, a faint blush seemed to appear more pronounced on her cheeks.

But her brows furrowed even more deeply.

"How much did you drink?"

Kang Jae-hoon tilted his head.

They were prying at each other with their fingers.

He seemed to be recalling and calculating very seriously:

"Hmm... 53-degree Chinese baijiu... four cups?" He paused.

Try to think hard.

Then, with utmost sincerity, I added:
"And... I drank three bottles of soju."

Lee Sung-kyung took a deep breath.

Forcibly suppressing the urge to hit him on the head, I tried to ask calmly:
"...How did you get here?"

She looked around the empty doorway but didn't see Jin Dayuan.

"Designated driver".

Kang Jae-hoon pointed in a certain direction from the parking lot outside.

Lee Sung-kyung felt a mix of emotions.

A surge of anger rose within him because of his drunken state—especially upon hearing the amount of mixed drinks he had consumed;

But on the other side.

When Kang Jae-hoon said "I just miss you," his sincerity and straightforwardness, and his drunken behavior of stumbling to the film set to find me even though he could have gone home, were like a gentle warm current, slowly seeping into that tender spot.

She didn't ask "Where did the car come from?"

This doesn't seem to be on her list of priorities at the moment.

"you."

Lee Sung-kyung pointed to an unused folding chair a little further away from the main shooting area, where the lighting wasn't so glaring, and near the prop box:

"Go sit there and don't make a sound."

"I can't leave right now; this will end as soon as it's over."

"If you dare to fall asleep, you're dead."

The tone was a standard Lee Sung-kyung-style threat.

"Um……"

Kang Jae-hoon nodded obediently and turned around as instructed.

He moved forward with somewhat unsteady steps.

He groped his way to sit down.

Then lean back in the chair.

Lee Sung-kyung watched him until he was seated before turning around.

I walked quickly back to the monitor and forced myself to concentrate.

There was no further delay.

The remaining shots were completed quickly.

When it's time to wrap up work.

She didn't even bother to change out of her costume; she just grabbed her down jacket, wrapped it around herself, and hurried to the corner.

Kang Jae-hoon was already asleep at that time.

His head was tilted to one side.

The brim of the baseball cap covered most of his face.

Breathing is even and long.

Lee Sung-kyung stood there for a few seconds, staring at his unguarded sleeping face.

The noise inside the shed seemed to fade away at that moment.

In the end, she just sighed softly.

Bend down.

Carefully wrap his arm around your shoulder.

They lifted him up with force.

Kang Jae-hoon hummed incoherently.

Most of his body weight was on her, and he followed her unsteadily as she moved out.

Walking out of the film set.

The chill of the night air was biting.

The searchlights on set cast huge beams of light, casting long shadows on the ground.

Lee Sung-kyung's gaze swept over the parking spaces.

A white Volkswagen sedan, which looked clean even in the dim light, was parked quietly a few meters away.

Her gaze merely swept over it.

There was no pause.

They didn't even bother to look at the license plate number.

Lee Sung-kyung half-dragged, half-carried Kang Jae-hoon as they walked straight toward her dark-colored Hyundai van parked a little further away.

The assistant was already waiting by the car.

Upon seeing this, he immediately opened the back door.

The two of them struggled to put Kang Jae-hoon into the back seat.

She sat down next to him, letting Kang Jae-hoon's head lean against her shoulder.

The car drove smoothly away from the MBC Ilsan Center.

The car is well heated.

Only the low hum of the engine and Kang Jae-hoon's heavy breathing could be heard.

Lee Sung-kyung turned her head to look at the streetlights flashing past the window.

His shoulders bore the heavy weight of those around him.

He let a mixture of anger, helplessness, and a deeper, indescribable bittersweet feeling silently spread through his chest.

……

The deep night was gradually diluted without anyone noticing.

The morning light shone through the gaps in the curtains that weren't fully drawn.

Several bright gold stripes were cut into the slightly worn wooden floor of the apartment in Seongsudong.

A soft clinking sound came from the kitchen.

Lee Sung-kyung rubbed her temples as she walked out of the bedroom.

Lack of sleep caused a migraine to flare up, and the two faint bluish-black lines under my eyes were clearly visible in the morning light.

She raised her eyes.

Seeing Kang Jae-hoon busy at the open kitchen island with his back to her—

Place the toast slices into the toaster and press the button.

He then took a small pot from the wall cabinet, filled it with water, and placed it on the gas stove to try to light it.

Click, click...

I tried twice but missed.

He frowned and leaned closer to examine the switch.

He rubbed the stove knob hard with his fingertips.

His profile looked particularly focused and... a little troubled in the morning light.

Lee Sung-kyung leaned against the door frame with her arms crossed.

No sound was made.

Until he finally managed to ignite the blue flame.

Put a few eggs into a pot of cold water.

He then clicked his tongue softly.

He turned and went to the restroom.

The sound of water running sounded.

She came out a moment later.

Water droplets still clung to his face from rinsing.

"Finished washing up? Let's eat."

"Ah."

The breakfast on the table is a very typical "Jiang-style breakfast".

Not refined at all.

Lee Sung-kyung pulled out a chair and sat down.

Her gaze swept over the two perfectly peeled, smooth, white hard-boiled eggs on her plate, then glanced at the one with its shell still on Kang Jae-hoon's plate.

"Where are you going again?"

Hearing the sound, Kang Jae-hoon looked at the neatly packed suitcase by the door and said knowingly:

"...Go to Nepal."

He peeled the eggs from his plate and placed them on Lee Sung-kyung's plate:
"The director and teachers have reached an agreement with CJ, and the crew will go there for on-location filming."

Seeing this, her brows furrowed as usual.

"what?"

"Ah."

Kang Jae-hoon casually pointed to the clear dark spot under her eye:
"Saw."

"..."

Lee Sung-kyung was slightly taken aback by his straightforward, frank, or perhaps silly, remark.

"so?"

"To nourish your body."

Lee Sung-kyung: “…”

The air froze for a few seconds.

Countless venomous and precise sarcastic remarks swirled in her throat.

finally.

She just gave a muffled "hmm".

The extra egg was not pushed back.

He didn't look at Kang Jae-hoon again.

The two finished their breakfast in silence.

Kang Jae-hoon got up and cleared away the dishes.

Lee Sung-kyung also habitually checks her suitcase for any forgotten items.

After a while.

She straightened up and glanced around the living room—

really.

A dark blue passport was stuck in the gap between the coffee table legs and the cushion.

My steps stopped in front of the passport lying casually on the ground.

Bend over.

He pinched the edge of the passport and lifted it up.

She strolled into the kitchen.

The hand loosened.

"Snapped."

The passport landed precisely on the kitchen island.

It made a slight, crisp sound.

Kang Jae-hoon turned his head upon hearing the sound.

Looking at that lonely passport.

Then look at Lee Sung-kyung's eyes, which seem to say, "I knew you'd forget things again."

A huge, bright, and incredibly genuine smile instantly bloomed on his face:

"Eh?"

"That's strange."

"I remember putting my passport in my suitcase a while ago?"

"...Thank goodness for the Bible!"

"Otherwise, we'll be in big trouble!"

Lee Sung-kyung let out a very faint, almost inaudible hum from her nose.

Like a big cat that has put away its claws.

Satisfied to see that the prey (passport) had been correctly returned to its place (stuffed into Kang Jae-hoon's hand).

She was also pleased to see that the other party tactfully accepted her offer.

Lee Sung-kyung turned around, picked up her coat from the chair, and draped it over her arm.

"I am leaving."

Without lingering, he turned and walked towards the door.

just.

In the instant he turned his back and bent down to change his shoes.

An angle that Kang Jae-hoon cannot see.

Lee Sung-kyung's sharply defined and tight lips.

Imperceptible.

It curved upwards in an extremely brief, tiny arc.

Like a dewdrop that appears only briefly in the morning light.

"Click."

Lee Sung-kyung closed the door very quietly.

Kang Jae-hoon was the only one left in the apartment.

The bowls and chopsticks have been washed and drained.

He glanced around the tidy living room.

I picked up that dark blue passport.

He stuffed it into the inside pocket of his thick down jacket.

Lift the suitcase handle.

Go out.

The streets of Seongsudong were chilly in the early morning.

The wind felt a bit stinging on my face.

Agent Kim Dae-won's van was already waiting by the roadside.

I saw Kang Jae-hoon come out.

They immediately got out of the car and helped stuff the suitcase into the trunk.

"Did you bring everything?"

"Ah."

Kang Jae-hoon opened the passenger door and got in, saying:

"By the way, hyung. At the gathering yesterday with Cha Tae-hyun and the others, he recommended me for the male lead role in Park Ji-eun's new drama 'The Producers'."

"The one from 'My Love from the Star'?"

"Yes! Tae-hyun oppa is really... such a good person!"

Kim Dae-won glanced at Kang Jae-hoon's face, which was filled with pure gratitude.

A subtle, enigmatic smile played at the corners of his lips.

A clear sneer came from his nose.

"Actress Jiang."

He called Kang Jae-hoon in an almost lazy tone.

"Ok?"

“Your Cha Tae-hyun hyung isn’t just a ‘good guy’.”

"What do you mean?"

Jin Dayuan directly broke through that thin veil:
"What he offered was not a timely help, but rather a 'good deed for those who had already seen through the winds,' a favor that was done in a convenient way."

Kang Jae-hoon was even more confused.

"Ah."

Taking advantage of the time while waiting for the red light.

Kim Dae-won opened the car drawer, took out a document, and threw it on Kang Jae-hoon's lap.

Kang Jae-hoon deftly opened the file folder.

Take out the several script synopses and letters of intent that were bound inside—

The first one.

The title page is light blue.

The eye-catching movie title: The Beauty Inside.

Character description: Male protagonist. (Woo-jin/Furniture designer).

The second one.

A deep, dark red design.