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

Chapter 149 Remake Collaboration and the "Train to Busan" Meeting

Early in the morning.

The arrival hall of Terminal 1 at Incheon Airport was brightly lit.

When Kang Jae-hoon came out pushing the luggage cart.

It stands out almost entirely from its glamorous surroundings.

The intense ultraviolet radiation and biting cold wind at high altitude completely erased the sophisticated air of an urban elite he had before setting off.

"Luckily, you landed in the middle of the night, so the reporters didn't bother to wait around. If it had been daytime, your fan club would probably have disbanded overnight."

Kim Dae-won took the cart from Kang Jae-hoon while complaining.

Kang Jae-hoon forced a slightly stiff smile due to exhaustion.

The fatigue from the long flight and intense filming overwhelmed him like a tide.

The van took him directly back to his apartment in Seongsu-dong.

The familiar stairwell.

The familiar sound of a door lock.

Lee Sung-kyung is still not home.

Just wash up briefly.

Kang Jae-hoon picked up his phone, which was charging on the bedside table.

There are a lot of messages piling up in KakaoTalk.

Slide your fingertips.

I clicked on Yoona's profile picture and typed a few words:

[Back in Seoul. Did things go smoothly in China?]

I clicked on Lee Sung-kyung's post again:

[Arrived safely, just got home. When are you coming back?]

send.

No reply was received.

The phone was then tossed onto the bedside table.

My body sank into the familiar mattress.

Consciousness rapidly faded.

Fall asleep.

……

The shrill ringtone of the cell phone pierced through the heavy drowsiness.

Kang Jae-hoon struggled to reach out from under the covers and touched the constantly vibrating phone on the bedside table.

He barely managed to open his eyes a crack.

The name displayed on the screen is Kim Dae-won.

"Hey...bro..."

His voice was hoarse and dry.

"It's already 12:30 PM! Have you had enough sleep?"

Jin Dayuan's loud voice came through the receiver.

Kang Jae-hoon gave a vague "hmm".

"Get up, I'll be there in half an hour."

hang up the phone.

Kang Jae-hoon threw off the covers and sat up.

The curtains weren't fully drawn.

The intense midday sun made him squint.

It took me a few minutes to get out of bed.

There was a large bowl with a transparent lid on the dining table in the living room.

Kang Jae-hoon walked over and lifted the lid—

Inside was his favorite seafood noodles.

The broth had solidified, and the squid tentacles, shellfish, and vegetables floating on top were coated in oil and had a dull color.

It was obviously prepared to be cooled down long ago.

Kang Jae-hoon did not heat it up.

He simply picked up his chopsticks and started eating without even looking up.

The dough had already swelled up.

It was both icy and fishy.

The springy texture of seafood becomes exceptionally tough and chewy at low temperatures.

Had a meal.

Kang Jae-hoon threw himself deep into the sofa.

My body sank in.

He let out a comfortable sigh of relief.

My eyelids started to feel heavy again.

Just as my consciousness was about to drift away.

Mobile phone vibration.

It is the Jin Dynasty.

"Go downstairs."

Concise and concise.

……

On the road.

Jin Dayuan looked at the traffic ahead and began to explain the itinerary:
"Go get some treatment first, your condition is the most important thing. I have a dinner party tonight. We'll talk about the promotional coordination and distribution strategy in Korea. Director Gao and Producer Wang have both flown over, and Deputy Director Lee is in charge of distribution and coordination at CJ."

"What was the total box office after the film was taken off the screens in China?" Jiang Zaixun asked.

"More than 6600."

This number has far exceeded Kang Jae-hoon's expectations.

He originally thought the box office would only be around 50 million.

The box office of over 60 million is actually not bad.

but.

In comparison, there were 36 films in the Chinese entertainment film market that grossed over 100 million yuan throughout the year.

This result.

It's really ugly.

It's not even a fraction of the 5.88 million yuan box office of the low-budget romance film "Fleet of Time".

Director Gao Xixi was fiercely criticized by film forums and critics for "having no talent for making movies," "wasting a top-notch cast," and being told to "go back to making TV series."

The female lead, Liu Yifei, was unsurprisingly dubbed "box office poison."

As the male lead in the film, Kang Jae-hoon was naturally not spared from criticism.

The online discussion forums are flooded with negative comments, so let's not even go into the details.

The most direct impact of market feedback is the loss of opportunities.

During the release of "For Love or Money", he was approached by a script for a modern urban drama called "Diamond Lover".

The production company expressed considerable interest in Kang Jae-hoon.

He was filming "Good Days" on Jeju Island at the time.

I haven't really decided whether or not to take this role.

however.

After the box office slump of "For Love or Money" became a foregone conclusion.

That invitation was never followed up.

Meanwhile, several mid-to-high-end Chinese brands that had previously been in contact with the company and expressed goodwill towards it.

After the film flopped at the box office and received a flood of negative reviews.

His attitude instantly became ambiguous.

……

The beauty salon is the one where Ms. Kim Mi-hye got her VIP membership card.

The next few hours.

Kang Jae-hoon felt like an old piece of furniture that needed to be refurbished.

The hairstylist sighed repeatedly as he looked at his unkempt, unruly hair.

Finally, a major pruning was carried out.

The skin care specialist looked at his weathered cheeks and the sunburn marks on his nose with alarm.

Various instruments were used in turn.

When the refreshed (at least on the surface) Kang Jae-hoon got back into the back seat of the van, it was already getting dark outside.

……

Inside a private room at the Shilla Hotel.

The lighting is a soft, warm tone.

The exquisite tableware on the round table reflected a soft glow.

The "state banquet cuisine" was plated in front of the group.

Director Gao Xixi seems less spirited than when he was in China.

Liu Yifei is no different.

She remains beautiful.

This time, director Gao Xixi brings us the director's cut.

In his words—

It's completely different from the heavily edited version released domestically. The pacing, emotional arc, and the dramatic performances of Kang Jae-hoon and Liu Yifei are all preserved in their most complete form.

Ok……

To Kang Jae-hoon—

This big-name director seems to be blaming the box office failure of "For Love or Money" on the domestic film censorship system.

of course.

This can also be interpreted as director Go Hee-hee seeing the South Korean film market as a way to turn things around.

After all, its reputation in China has already become somewhat tarnished.

But turning over isn't so easy.

This movie needs to recoup its costs.

In the South Korean film market, it needs to reach at least 500 million viewers.

500 million viewers.

That's a level of achievement that ordinary romance movies can't reach.

The highest-grossing romance film in South Korean film history is "A Werewolf Boy," starring Song Joong-ki and Park Bo-young.

—A total of 704 million people have watched the film.

This phenomenal film, with its unique werewolf setting and the powerful chemistry between the actors, has set a record that remains unbroken by any other film of its kind.

And ranked second.

It was "Architecture 101" that directly made Bae Suzy a star and is considered a representative work that changed her acting career.

—410 million viewers.

The rest of the romance films.

The vast majority fluctuate between 100 million and 300 million.

A film that was rejected by both theaters and audiences in the Chinese market, with a box office of only 6600 million RMB and the lead actors collectively bearing negative reviews, is now trying to reach 500 million viewers in the South Korean market with a relatively complete director's cut.
This is not an expectation.

This is more like a form of self-consolation in the face of a bleak reality...

Beautiful fantasy.

"This goal... is quite challenging."

Vice Minister Li's comments on Director Gao's ideas were not disparaging in any way; they were simply analytical.

"South Korean audiences have not yet fully developed the habit of watching Chinese-language films."

"In terms of pure love themes, local productions have a natural advantage in cultural affinity and actor recognition."

"Moreover, the film's reputation in the Chinese-speaking market will inevitably spread here through the media and the internet."

"This will have a huge impact on early word-of-mouth and audience expectations. Even though... the director's cut has improved in terms of narrative and emotion."

He did not explicitly state that 500 million viewers was a pipe dream.

But the meaning is already very clear—

As the issuer, one must consider the significant risks involved in both input and output.

……

Director Gao and Deputy Chief Li's conversation about box office targets reached a polite stalemate.

On the other side of the table.

Liu Yifei seemed uninterested in this somewhat dull discussion.

She did, however, chat with Kang Jae-hoon in hushed tones in English.

"This isn't the first time a box office flop has happened."

She shrugged, her tone carrying a sense of composure born from weathering many storms:

"I stopped reading what people say online a long time ago."

"You have such a good attitude."

Kang Jae-hoon said it sincerely.

It can maintain a certain core stability even when it is in the eye of the storm.

Not everyone has it.

At the very least, Kang Jae-hoon admits he can't do it.

"if not?"

Liu Yifei smiled, not taking his praise seriously.

"What about you? You must be under a lot of pressure here in South Korea too, right?"

"Fortunately."

Kang Jae-hoon didn't talk much about his pressure, but then changed the subject:
"Actually... if you have an idea, or can find interested investors... I know a script that's worth remaking."

"Oh? What are you talking about?"

Liu Yifei was clearly interested.

She was certainly not as nonchalant as she appeared.

Or……

She really wanted to improve!

"The story of a low-level debt collector and a bank teller is a bit tragic and a bit funny, but the core is 'the pure love of a thug'."

Kang Jae-hoon succinctly recounted the story.

"That sounds like a lot of conflict. How's the box office?" Liu Yifei pressed.

Jiang Zaixun shook his head:

"When it was released, it happened to clash with the phenomenal film 'Miss Granny,' and its domestic box office was completely crushed, failing to make any splash."

"But the film is really good quality; it stars my teacher."

"You could even just invite the original director to film it."

Kang Jae-hoon's recommendation of this film was somewhat biased.

Firstly—

If it really comes to fruition, Hwang Jung-min's portrayal of the original character will inevitably spark discussion in the Chinese market, thereby enhancing his influence in the Chinese entertainment industry.
Secondly—

After finishing filming "When a Man Falls in Love," director Han Dong-wook has returned to the ranks of assistant directors.

This is an opportunity to help him get back into the director's circle.

(P.S.: Director Han Dong-wook won the Best Director award in the drama category at the Baeksang Arts Awards in 2024 for "The Evil Within." At that time, the Korean drama "The Superpowers" was a huge hit, so the award's prestige is undeniable. He certainly has the talent.)
Thirdly—

He himself was very interested in the role of the "hooligan" Han Taiyi.

If one has the opportunity to get such a role in the Chinese market, whether it is to pay tribute to the teacher's original work or to challenge oneself and verify one's acting ability in different cultural contexts, it is an excellent opportunity.

After listening, Liu Yifei nodded thoughtfully.

It seems they are genuinely assessing the feasibility.

"I've noted down the information. I'll ask around to find out the specifics, who holds the remake rights, and the general market rate."

She gave a rather pragmatic response:

"Shall we talk about this privately later, if it's convenient for you?"

"of course."

Kang Jae-hoon nodded in agreement.

This topic will be left at that.

After all, it's not appropriate to discuss things in depth at a dinner party.

……

The latter half of the dinner was spent in relatively pragmatic discussions.

Director Gao's explanation of the "artistic value" of the director's cut failed to completely reverse Vice Minister Li's cautious assessment based on market realities.

But in the end.

Both sides reached a preliminary consensus in a relatively amicable atmosphere.

CJ Entertainment will proceed with the planned release of "For Love or Money" in South Korea (scheduled for February 6th) and allocate "reasonable" promotional resources. Specific promotional strategies and budget details will be finalized by both teams later.

A few days later.

Kang Jae-hoon and Liu Yifei worked tirelessly with CJ's publicity department to shoot promotional trailers, posters, and short films for theaters in multiple languages.

The schedule was packed.

Time flew by amidst the busy preparations for the publicity campaign.

It's already early February.

The run of "Ode to My Father" in South Korea has come to a successful conclusion.

The cumulative number of moviegoers has finally surpassed 1400 million.

It ranks second on the all-time box office chart in South Korea.

This number is like a heavy foundation stone.

This firmly established Hwang Jung-min's status as a top superstar. It also brought Kang Jae-hoon, who played "Nam-jin," considerable attention and widespread recognition within the industry.

Friday.

The Chinese-Korean co-production film "For Love or Money," starring Kang Jae-hoon and Liu Yifei, has officially taken over the theatrical release in South Korea's CGV theaters.

This release date was chosen between the end of winter break and the eve of the Korean Lunar New Year.

Not only does it take over the huge market space left by "Ode to My Father", it can also enjoy the benefits of the Spring Festival movie-going boom.

however.

The competition is equally fierce.

Lee Min-ho's highly anticipated big-screen debut, "Gangnam 1970," and the Hollywood action blockbuster "Taken 3" are both strong competitors in the same release window.

Eight o'clock that night.

CGV Cinema in Myeongdong, Seoul.

Bright lights.

A huge movie poster hung in a prominent position in the cinema. The temporary media interview area and backdrop were crowded with people.

Kang Jae-hoon and Liu Yifei, as the main characters, appeared on the red carpet with director Gao Xixi.

At that time, after careful care, the remaining sunburn marks on Kang Jae-hoon's cheeks had faded considerably, and he looked much better than when he first returned to Korea.

Liu Yifei wore an elegant long dress.

The reporters in the media interview area focused their questions on the film itself, the challenges of Sino-Korean cooperation, and their expectations for box office performance.

Both of their answers were relatively cautious.

The media's flashing lights and questions came to an end.

The edge of the inner area of the red carpet.

Several familiar figures stood there quietly.

Lee Kwang-soo was grinning and waving at Kang Jae-hoon.

Standing next to him, Jo In-sung appeared much more composed.

Obviously.

They came privately to support their younger brother, Kang Jae-hoon, at his premiere.

After a brief premiere ceremony.

The main creators, some invited guests, and media critics entered the theater and took their seats.

Before heading to the theater entrance.

The main cast and crew had to pass through a "support photo area" specially designated for fans and media.

It's even noisier here.

Fans from each group held up their support items.

The reporters tried to seize the last opportunity to take photos or ask brief questions.

Kang Jae-hoon politely nodded to the media and fans on both sides as he followed the guide.

Just before entering the theater corridor.

Kang Jae-hoon's gaze swept over the enthusiastic cheers.

suddenly.

He paused in his steps.

Behind several excited young faces, a familiar figure stood quietly—Cui Yamin, his fan site manager.

Kang Jae-hoon quietly gestured to the stage manager to wait a moment.

He then deviated slightly from the route and took a few steps toward Cui Yamin.

"Ya Min-xi, you're here too."

"How could I possibly miss your premiere?"

"Thank you."

Kang Jae-hoon seemed to remember something and smiled helplessly: "Oh right, I joined the official group last month."

"Ok?"

Cui Yamin clearly didn't expect the person in question to be lurking in the group.

"I was kicked out after posting just one sentence."

"what!?"

Cui Yamin's eyes widened instantly, her face filled with disbelief: "Kicked...kicked?"

She suddenly turned her head to look at another girl next to her who was also wearing an administrator's armband.

The girl also looked completely bewildered.

Cui Yamin turned around, looking both anxious and confused:
"What...did you post inside?"

"I just recommended the web series 'Good Days' that I starred in... and then attached a link."

Kang Jae-hoon explained.

Cui Yamin stared blankly for a full two seconds.

Followed by.

"puff--"

A gasp escaped her lips.

Immediately, a look of sudden realization mixed with amusement flashed across her face:
"Oh dear, I thought... I thought it was a phishing link posted by a hater impersonating me!"

She glanced somewhat embarrassedly at the administrator next to her, who also had a strange expression.

After all, this kind of straightforward advertising model is too easy to be misunderstood.

Kang Jae-hoon laughed after hearing this.

"Then I'll trouble you... to help promote it later? That show is indeed... not bad." He added.

Cui Yamin nodded vigorously:
"Don't worry! Leave it to me! I'll post a detailed report and a recommendation post!"

"Then I'll leave it to you. I'll go in first."

Jiang Zai Xun waved to the fans one last time, then turned and quickly followed Liu Yifei and the others who had already reached the entrance of the theater.

……

The lights in the hall have been dimmed.

Only the emergency exit sign emitted a faint green light.

The huge IMAX screen in front of us has not yet lit up.

The theater seating is arranged in a tiered layout.

The first few rows were reserved for the main creators and important guests.

Behind them were media representatives, film critics, and some invited fans.

The giant screen lit up.

The background music flows.

Familiar scenes and lines unfolded before my eyes once again.

This is the "director's cut" that Director Gao insisted on and was very proud of.

Compared to the fragmented version that was shown in Chinese cinemas, the pacing is indeed much smoother and more relaxed.

Some scenes that had been violently cut and used to show the characters' inner struggles were stitched back together.

The psychological transformation of Xing Lu, played by Liu Yifei, was more meticulously depicted with more time.

Sitting in the darkness, Kang Jae-hoon couldn't deny it—

The director's cut of "For Love or Money" is like a repaired defective product; at least it looks more complete.

If the original version is a 5-point product with confused logic and rushed emotions.

The current version can barely score 6.5 to 7 points.

After all, the core direction of the overall story and the abruptness of some logic still feel awkward.

……

The film has ended.

The lights come on.

Symbolic applause rang out in the theater.

Some of the applause came from fans who were unaware of the situation.

Some of them come from guests who are required to attend social events.

In the front row of the professional judges' panel.

The expressions of media reporters and film critics were mostly calm.

There was no obvious approval.

There was no obvious disappointment.

Director Gao was the first to stand up, turn around and bow to the audience.

Liu Yifei and Jiang Zaixun also stood up after them.

Their eyes met briefly.

There was also a tacit understanding—

I've done my best.

leftover.

Let fate and the market decide.

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 next day.

The opening day box office figures for "For Love or Money" in the South Korean market have been released.

The number of moviegoers nationwide reached 16.4.

This figure is considered average within the overall film market.

It wasn't exactly a stunning start.

But it was by no means a complete defeat.

It is a typical case of being "not as good as the best, but better than the worst."

Especially in the face of strong competition from films like "Gangnam 1970" and "Taken 3".

This is not a bad start.

On Naver, South Korea's most influential movie rating platform, the first batch of viewers gave it a score of 7.8.

This is not unexpected.

The initial ratings are often influenced by the bias of the actor's fans and the added expectation, so the scores are usually higher.

The following first week.

Kang Jae-hoon and Liu Yifei are like two high-speed machines.

From morning to night.

A continuous stream of audience meet-and-greets, cinema stage greetings, media interviews, radio connections...

The two of them went to extreme lengths to make their presence felt at every possible opportunity to be in the spotlight.

The hard-earned promotional campaign has yielded remarkable results.

Although the number of visitors per day did not experience another explosive growth.

However, thanks to its relatively stable attendance and solid word-of-mouth (although the Naver rating was later "washed up" by more ordinary viewers and dropped to 7.13), "For Love or Money" successfully surpassed one million viewers in its opening weekend in South Korea.

The number of moviegoers is converted into box office revenue.

The film's opening weekend box office in South Korea has already surpassed its opening weekend performance in mainland China.

These data seem to serve as a kind of endorsement for director Gao Xixi—

The editing techniques, emotional buildup, and directorial control that were fiercely criticized in the Chinese market did not elicit the same level of backlash in the South Korean market. The film's overall quality and entertainment value clearly fall far short of the standards criticized in domestic media.

……

The first week of intensive roadshow promotions has finally come to an end.

Liu Yifei needs to return to China as soon as possible to handle other matters.

The day before departure.

Kang Jae-hoon specially arranged a dinner party.

The location was chosen to be a very famous Chinese restaurant.

He also invited director Han Dongyu to come over.

The dinner table.

After Kang Jae-hoon made a brief introduction as the middleman, he left the stage to Liu Yifei and Han Dong-yu.

To Kang Jae-hoon's surprise.

Liu Yifei has clearly been busy lately.

She actually went to see the movie "When a Man Loves," starring Hwang Jung-min.

and……

I have a strong interest.

Language seems to be the biggest obstacle to communication.

Director Han Dong-wook is not fluent in English, and knows absolutely no Chinese.

Liu Yifei's Korean is limited to greetings.

The two were separated by a table.

It is a mix of Chinese, English, and Korean.

Sometimes, Kang Jae-hoon is needed to act as a translator on short notice.

But interestingly—

This does not prevent the two from appreciating each other.

Liu Yifei expressed great interest in the unique, bittersweet romance of the lower classes in the film and Han Dongyu's control over the character's portrayal.

When Han Dongyu heard Liu Yifei's keen observation of a certain scene or performance detail in the movie, his eyes lit up instantly.

He haltingly explained his creative concept, gesturing and even excitedly taking out his phone to show the original storyboard concept art.

In the time it takes to eat a meal.

From initial tentative interest in collaboration to mutual agreement on core concepts, the conversation quickly delved into topics such as the ownership of remake rights, contact information for the copyright holder, a general budget framework, and whether Han Dong-yu was available to direct.

fast.

The level of tacit understanding is extremely high.

This surprised even Kang Jae-hoon, who was in charge of making the connection.

He saw the project moving rapidly toward implementation, and as a promoter of his teacher's work and a "guide" for director Han Dongyu, he was genuinely happy that this "bridge-building" was about to succeed.

The dinner party was coming to an end.

The atmosphere was harmonious.

Liu Yifei took out her phone and exchanged contact information with Han Dongyu:
"Looking forward to meeting you in China!"

Han Dongyu carefully saved the number and replied earnestly in Korean:

"I sincerely look forward to the progress of the project, and it is an honor to work with actress Liu."

The two were separated by language.

However, a substantive agreement was reached.

The car that Liu Yifei had booked was already parked in front of the hotel.

The two watched her leave.

Han Dongyu turned his head, looked at Jiang Zaixun who was much younger than him, and said:
"Jaehoon... I really thank you so much."

"Don't say that!"

Kang Jae-hoon immediately bowed in response, his attitude humble and natural:
“You are my teacher’s close friend and a respected elder. It is my duty as a junior to do what I can for my elder.”

"Good, good, good!"

Han Dongyu said "good" three times in a row.

His appreciation for Kang Jae-hoon had reached its peak.

The promotional period for "For Love or Money" in South Korea has finally come to an end.

At that time, there was less than a week left before the Lunar New Year.

There was already a hint of relaxation in the air as the holidays approached.

But for some people...

The journey has only just begun.

The afternoon sun slanted into a medium-sized conference room in the NEW building.

When Kang Jae-hoon pushed the door open and went in.

Quite a few people had already arrived inside.

When the burly Ma Dong-seok saw Kang Jae-hoon enter, he immediately grinned and waved.

Obviously.

He still remembers that fleeting glimpse of his colleague, the "tycoon's son," on the set of "Veteran."

"Dong-seok hyung! Director-nim!"

Kang Jae-hoon quickly walked over and bowed to greet him.

Director Yan looked up at the sound and said gently:
"Coming? Sit down."

He pointed to the empty seat next to Ma Dong-seok.

the other side.

The refined and composed Gong Yoo was quietly confirming something with the production assistant. Upon seeing Kang Jae-hoon, he offered a friendly but not overly enthusiastic smile and nodded in greeting.
"Hello."

"Senior Gong Yoo!"

Kang Jae-hoon quickly bowed and greeted him.

Gong Yoo smiled and nodded in response.

A few people exchanged a few words.

Kang Jae-hoon sat down and opened the script for "Train to Busan" that belonged to him.

at this time.

The sliding door to the conference room was gently opened again.

A soft, pleasant female voice sounded at the door:
"Director Yeon-nim, hello everyone, I apologize for being a little late."

Kang Jae-hoon turned his head in the direction of the sound.

at that time.

The person standing at the doorway against the light of the hallway—

It's Bae Suzy.