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

Chapter 154 On-set Inspiration and Cat's Paw Warning

The successful first scene made the atmosphere on set much more relaxed.

Kang Jae-hoon and Bae Suzy do not have any new filming assignments for the time being.

Director Yeon Sang-ho had already moved the main camera crew to the other end of the carriage to film the entrance scene of Gong Yoo's character, Seok-woo.

The image of a fund manager who handles work calls on a high-speed train, appearing somewhat aloof and distant.

Kang Jae-hoon walked to the temporary care area.

I brought back the flight case that was making a slight scratching sound.

I found a small stool near the edge of the filming area that wouldn't get in the way and sat down.

Carefully place the flight case at your feet.

Only unzipped it a little bit.

So that the calico cat inside can see him.

Kang Jae-hoon reached in and gently scratched the cat's chin.

Soothe its slightly agitated emotions.

His gaze passed over the box lying at his feet and landed on the busy filming location not far away.

Adjust the lighting.

The tracks have been laid.

The scene fell silent.

"Action!"

The camera slowly zooms in.

Start with Seok-woo's slightly tired profile.

He was sitting in the aisle seat on the train.

He was holding a document that was open but he clearly hadn't read it.

His brows were habitually furrowed slightly.

His gaze fell on the page, but he couldn't focus on it.

He exuded a numbness that came from being drained by work.

Subtle movements and a slightly unfocused gaze.

It silently conveys the character's high-pressure situation and a sense of powerlessness and subtle alienation from his family responsibilities (caring for his daughter).

He answered a work call.

His tone was so businesslike it was almost icy.

Simple and fast.

It conveyed a sense of detachment and impatience towards the subordinates on the other end of the phone.

Kang Jae-hoon looked at the image transmitted back from the monitor.

A pure sense of novelty welled up inside me.

Gong Yoo's acting style is completely different from that of Hwang Jung-min, whom he is most familiar with.

Very reserved.

It carries a sense of realism that is almost like life, flowing through the air.

It lacked the teacher's expansive body language and dramatic facial expressions.

Gong Yoo's performance conveys emotions almost entirely through subtle changes in his eyes, nuanced pauses in his tone of voice, unconscious twitches in the muscles around his mouth, and the fatigue or tension that his body posture inadvertently reveals.

The advantages of this highly restrained "natural flow" performance are extremely prominent—

It can bring the characters and the audience closer together to the greatest extent possible.

To create a sense of immersion for the audience.

It feels like a real person sitting next to you.

Gong Yoo masterfully portrayed Seok-woo's coldness and subtle aloofness through everyday details.

but……

Kang Jae-hoon also sensed a subtle feeling in his heart.

This extreme interpretation of "natural flow" also seems to be subject to some kind of invisible constraints.

Gong Yoo's strong personal charisma and his understanding and control of the character's core will undoubtedly make the character three-dimensional and believable.

But invisibly.

This has also formed a stable performance path that is highly distinctive to Gong Yoo.

This quality ensures its stable and outstanding performance.

But in a way...

It reduced the stark sense of distance between the character and himself.

The character is certainly valid.

Her acting skills are also impeccably consistent.

But after seeing too much...

Perhaps it will feel like watching slices of Gong Yoo's life in different roles?
It lacked some groundbreaking, truly amazing surprises.

Or is it a sense of "dramatic transformation" where the character undergoes a complete metamorphosis and possesses a completely different soul?
Kang Jae-hoon thought to himself.

but.

These thoughts only flashed through my mind.

after all.

He doesn't watch many of Gong Yoo's movies.

All I can count is that one heart-wrenching film from back then, "Silenced".

and so.

Watching Gong Yoo act right now.

Kang Jae-hoon's experience was still very novel.

I am very interested in observing his performance style, which is so restrained that it penetrates to the bone.

I felt a sense of satisfaction, like I had found a treasure.

"Well……"

at this time.

The calico cat's dissatisfied purring came from the carrier at my feet.

Kang Jae-hoon looked down.

The little guy seemed to feel a bit stuffy inside.

They were peeking out, trying to squeeze in.

Kang Jae-hoon quickly reached out and gently pressed down on the trunk door.

Soothingly whisper:

"Be good, or the director will scold you. Just bear with it a little longer..."

While comforting the cat.

He quickly rummaged through the sports bag he was carrying.

He pulled out a notebook slightly larger than his palm, made of frosted plastic, with a hard cover that had been flipped so many times that the edges were rough and shiny.

With practiced ease, he removed the ballpoint pen from the metal ring on the side.

Press down on the end of the pen with your thumb.

"Click."

A crisp popping sound.

then.

He quickly opened his notebook to the latest page.

I hardly thought about it.

The pen tip began to dance across the paper:

[Notes on Gong Yoo's Introverted and Natural Style]

Eye contact management:

— Staring at the document, yet with a vacant gaze, he precisely conveyed the psychological fatigue of "seeing but not seeing."

(Different from Teacher Huang's focused, explosive gaze)
Breath control:

—During the phone call, there was a barely perceptible (but real) pause and slowing in her breathing when she heard her daughter's request.

(A silent expression of inner emotional changes)

Tension in physical restraint:

—The elbow rests on the armrest, but the knuckles unconsciously tighten slightly (a sign of internal pressure), and the fingers briefly rub the temples when releasing the document (a sign of forced fatigue). The sense of strength comes from the tension within the body, rather than from exaggerated movements.

(A performance of "inner strength" worth studying in depth)
……

to sum up--

Advantages: Extremely realistic and lifelike, with captivating details and an explosive sense of audience immersion.

Hidden concern: With distinct personal characteristics and a stable career path, the sense of distance between characters is compressed, which may lead to a sense of repetitive segmentation?
Highlights: Unparalleled eye contact! Subtle nuances in voice and tone reveal skill; precise breathing rhythm enhances emotional expression (note the connection between breathing rhythm and emotion!).

Key points to consider:

How can we combine Huang Shi’s outward emotional outburst with Kong Shi’s natural flow and immersive life experience to create a unique performance style?

Finished writing the last sentence.

Jiang Zaixun's pen stopped.

He stared at the question mark and fell into a brief moment of contemplation.

Sudden.

A faint, yet highly distinctive fragrance wafted over.

It smells like fresh orange blossom mixed with a slightly sweet lychee aroma.

at the same time.

His gaze fell on the corner of his eye.

A similarly small, portable canvas folding stool.

He was silently placed on the ground less than half a meter away from him.

Followed by.

A figure wearing a blue and white tracksuit.

She naturally sat down next to him, drawn by that pleasant scent.

Jiang Zaixun turned his head——

Bae Suzy sat obediently on her own stool, hugging her knees like a student listening attentively in class.

What are you writing?

Those clear, spring-like eyes held undisguised curiosity.

He stared intently at the notebook that Kang Jae-hoon had laid out on his lap.

Kang Jae-hoon almost reflexively closed the notebook in his hand.

"cough……"

He cleared his throat somewhat awkwardly.

"nothing……"

His gaze flickered.

"...Just writing whatever comes to mind."

His expression.

They practically had their guilty conscience written all over their faces.

(Writing in such detail...)
(And she saw it...)
(Won't she feel like a little thief stealing her teacher's skills...?)

"Just writing something casually?"

Bae Suzy clearly didn't believe it.

Her gaze swept back and forth between Kang Jae-hoon's tightly clutched notebook and his slightly evasive eyes.

It's like measuring his bottom line.

then.

She did it very naturally.

It even carried a frankness that left no room for refusal.

Lean forward slightly.

He reached out his hand towards Kang Jae-hoon—

It was not a forceful robbery.

Instead, the palm should face upwards.

Keep your five fingers together.

It was gently laid out in front of him.

"Can I take a look?"

Her tone was light and cheerful, somewhere between a plea and a coquettish gesture, making it hard for anyone to refuse.

Kang Jae-hoon instinctively tried to hide the notebook behind his back.

But then I felt that the gestures were too deliberate, which made it seem like I was trying to cover something up.

He froze there.

My inner turmoil was like a small boat in a storm.

It's not that I'm reluctant to show her the notebook itself...

But...

This notebook contains my "personal reflections" on the strengths and weaknesses of Gong Yoo's acting style, along with some questions and a bit of "bold" commentary...

If someone else sees this...

Especially when Gong Yoo himself saw it...

That scene...

Just thinking about it sent chills down his spine!

I was sweating bullets!
He looked into Bae Suzy's eyes, which seemed to say, "I really want to see."

That energy...

And that same kind of energy from "Jin-hee," who's always clinging to "Rong-guk" in the script...

They're practically identical!
Headache.

"no……"

He practically forced out those two words through gritted teeth.

Bae Suzy's acting skills are indeed facing a visible bottleneck at this stage.

Being beautiful is an absolute advantage, but when portraying deeper characters, it's inevitable to carry the imprint of idol-style acting, making the performance seem superficial.

Those in the industry are well aware of this, and she herself knows it even better.

therefore.

Seeing Kang Jae-hoon so devoutly recording the details of the performance, his urgent desire to learn from his professional crisis was incredibly real.

Bae Soo-ji saw his fierce and determined demeanor.

Those bright eyes darted around mischievously, and she said:
"I just noticed that when you were watching Gong Yoo's acting and writing so diligently, your expression was so focused and bright... it was like you were glowing!"

"Seriously, I've been looking at so many works by senior artists lately... The more I look, the more I realize how far I am from where I am, how much I still have to learn..."

The slightly drawn-out tone carried a hint of a little girl's self-deprecating coquettishness.

His eyes were fixed on the notebook that Kang Jae-hoon was tightly protecting.

"So... I really, really want to see it!"

She stretched out her fair hands again.

Palms facing up.

Her voice softened even more, as if she were asking for a precious gift:

"Just a tiny bit?" "I promise! I'll just glance at that amazing thing you summarized, the kind that can instantly enlighten an actor?"

Bae Suzy's eyes blinked.

It was as if it was silently saying, "Please, please."

This offensive...

It’s just that!

It begins with sincere admiration, then humbly feigns weakness, and finally unleashes the irresistible allure of a "god-level secret"...

Clear logic, but a unique perspective!
Refusing again would seem petty.

What's more...

The most "sensitive" speculations and comments are written on later pages.

The preceding sections consist mostly of observations, records, and summaries of key techniques and points.

Kang Jae-hoon took a deep breath.

He barely managed to suppress the excessively high temperature on his face.

With a sense of desperate urgency.

She cautiously checked to see if anyone was approaching from behind Bae Suzy.

He quickly flipped through the notebook.

Turn directly to the page where I just took notes summarizing Gong Yoo's acting techniques:

[Eyes: Unfocused, conveying a sense of "not seeing" (precise!)]

[Breath control: The cold, authoritative tone during a phone call versus the unconscious pauses when listening to the daughter's requests (the key is breathing rhythm!)]

[Body movements: Manifestations of "internal strength"! Tightening knuckles and pressing the temples (the feeling of internal pressure and fatigue is wonderful!)]

He showed her those lines.

Simultaneously.

With his other hand, he nervously and quietly pressed down on the following content at the bottom of the page, which included "advantages and disadvantages analysis" and private comments!
Only the top few lines of concise and clear summary of techniques, devoid of subjective evaluation, are revealed.

"Wow……"

Bae Suzy moved closer almost immediately.

My eyes swept over those few lines of text.

"This...breathing rhythm! You can act with your breathing?!"

Bae Suzy pointed to the sentence in the notebook that Kang Jae-hoon had emphasized with an exclamation mark: "[Pay attention to the connection between breathing rhythm and emotions!]", and asked incredulously.

Her body moved a little closer to Kang Jae-hoon in order to see the astonishing conclusion more clearly.

The crisp, refreshing scent of lychee almost enveloped Kang Jae-hoon.

"...Yes, that's right."

Kang Jae-hoon subtly leaned away, clearing his throat before finding his voice:

"Breath is the most direct and also the most difficult subconscious reaction to fake emotions. When Gong Yoo heard his daughter say on the phone that she missed her mother, there was a very brief but clear pause in his breath, his throat unconsciously swallowed, and when he spoke again, his tone was low and deep... These subtle physiological reactions conveyed complex emotions that were more real and powerful than any dialogue."

He tried his best to keep his tone professional and steady.

But the sudden magnification of the other person's beautiful face and the lingering sweet fruity scent made his ears burn slightly.

Bae Suzy's eyes lit up even more after hearing that!

She looked at Kang Jae-hoon's face, which was so close to hers, as he earnestly explained.

He looked down again at the page of notes filled with insightful observations.

"..."

She didn't say anything more.

He seemed to be engrossed in digesting and reflecting.

Kang Jae-hoon watched her micro-expressions, which were sometimes thoughtful and sometimes sudden.

The tension and embarrassment I felt dissipated without me even realizing it.

Instead, it is a kind of...

Very strange feeling.

He has seen Bae Suzy in many different ways.

She is radiant under the spotlight, and is known as the "Nation's First Love";
She appears fresh, lively, and full of energy in the advertisement;
She was poised, elegant, and impeccable during the interview;
Even the straightforward, passionate, and radiant "Jin-hee" during the scene just now...

But none of them seem to be as good as the one in front of us.

He was holding his worn-out notebook.

Bae Suzy, who reads the book with the seriousness of a precious secret manual and occasionally nods unconsciously, is so vivid and real.

That undisguised desire to explore.

It made her dazzling brilliance lose some of its superficiality.

It revealed its vibrant core, brimming with the light of knowledge.

This feeling...

Very novel.

It's also...good.

More captivating than mere visual appeal... it's incredibly alluring.

……

When Bae Suzy finally looked away from her notebook and refocused on Kang Jae-hoon's face.

All that previous mischievousness and coquettishness had vanished.

now.

Those bright and captivating eyes were like a clear spring filled with starlight.

All that remains is a pure admiration, illuminated by pure knowledge and profound observation.

"Wow……"

She sighed almost silently once more.

immediately.

His gaze naturally slid down.

It landed on the flight case that was making a soft whirring sound at Kang Jae-hoon's feet.

The little creature inside began to paw at the box walls impatiently.

It makes a "rustling" noise.

He was clearly getting impatient.

Following her gaze, Jiang Zaixun quickly bent down and opened the latch of the flight case.

Reach in and hold the little guy under his armpit.

I carefully lifted the round, fluffy cat out.

The calico cat was delighted to be in fresh air and a familiar embrace.

It immediately let out a long, satisfied "meow~".

He rubbed his head against Jiang Zaixun's arm.

Then she nestled obediently in his arms.

Staring with wide, round eyes.

He cautiously and curiously surveyed the unfamiliar film set environment around him.

"Is this your cat?"

"Well... that's right."

Kang Jae-hoon gave a vague reply.

My fingers began to comb the fur on the cat's back.

The calico cat clearly enjoyed being petted by its owner.

She nestled comfortably in his arms, her eyes half-closed.

A continuous, satisfied gurgling sound came from his throat.

My whole body felt relaxed and comfortable.

Bae Suzy watched the cat looking so trusting and relaxed in Kang Jae-hoon's arms.

Then look at Kang Jae-hoon's habitual and natural way of taking care of her.

The light in her eyes shone even brighter:

"You seem to be good at everything you do."

"Ok?"

Kang Jae-hoon looked up, his face questioning.

Bae Suzy pointed to the docile, purring cat in his hands:
"He's so serious about acting, so observant... and now I've discovered he's even so skilled and reliable at taking care of small animals."

That sounds natural.

But it struck a chord with Kang Jae-hoon.

—"Great at everything he does", "Serious", "Reliable"...

Any one of those words alone would be enough to make any man secretly thrilled.

Not to mention that it was said while being looked at by such a dazzling person of the opposite sex, with eyes full of sincere admiration!
This feeling...

It's even more intoxicating than drinking Moutai!
A strong sense of satisfaction and a hint of undisguised pride.

It almost made Kang Jae-hoon's lips curl into an uncontrollable, wild smile.

But in order to hide this overwhelming secret pleasure and that damn shyness.

He forced himself to look down at his cat, who was comfortably asleep in his arms, and said half-jokingly:

"Amazing? You mean...you fed it until it got this fat?"

Kang Jae-hoon gently lifted the fluffy ball in his arms.

Round and plump.

Heavy.

It feels extremely solid.

Bae Suzy was completely taken aback by his response.

First stunned.

Then it was as if they had heard an extremely funny joke.

I couldn't help but burst out laughing.

A crisp laugh rang out at the edge of the somewhat noisy film set.

Like a melodious wind chime.

She covered her mouth.

Her eyes curved into adorable crescent moons.

I finally managed to stop laughing.

Looking at that sturdy ball of fur.

Nodding earnestly:
"Yes, there are some..."

She held out her finger.

There was a little distance between them.

He lightly touched the outline of the cat's round belly:

"But... being round and fluffy, it must feel amazing to hold, right? It looks so cute and cuddly."

she said.

My gaze lifted from the cat.

Looking at Kang Jae-hoon, he tentatively asked:

"Can I touch it?"

At this moment, Kang Jae-hoon was in a state of high spirits, feeling secretly pleased that he had been praised by a fairy.

Hearing this, he nodded without hesitation:
"Well, of course."

He gently patted the cat's back to comfort it.

He gestured for Bae Suzy to try.

Bae Suzy's face immediately broke into a bright smile.

With a mix of curiosity and anticipation.

She carefully extended her fair and slender fingers.

The movement was gentle as it reached towards the calico cat's fluffy, round head.

However, when Bae Suzy's fingertips were still some distance away from it.

"ha--!"

The little guy who was just snore comfortably in Jiang Zai Xun's arms, looking completely harmless.

Suddenly, without warning, a short, loud, and extremely threatening hiss came out of his throat!

Bae Suzy was startled by this sudden and violent reaction.

His hand recoiled as if he'd been electrocuted.

His body involuntarily leaned back slightly.

The shock subsided slightly.

She watched the cat instantly switch into battle mode.

The desire to get close that was on her face was ruthlessly extinguished.

Instead, there was a palpable sense of bewilderment and frustration at being rejected.

Her beautiful eyebrows furrowed slightly.

He pursed his lips downwards:
"...So fierce."

This sounds like a complaint that the cat is being tactless.

It was as if she was subtly accusing some "resistance" that she couldn't see but seemed to be everywhere.

Kang Jae-hoon was also startled by this sudden outburst.

They quickly tightened their grip on the cat's body.

To prevent it from actually running away.

With his other hand, he skillfully and quickly soothed it along its back.

"Sorry, sorry... It's not usually like this. I guess it's been in the box for too long and got a little annoyed."

Bae Suzy looked down at her hand that had "almost been attacked".

She then glanced up between the frizzy cat and the obviously large-headed Kang Jae-hoon.

The stars that had just been scared away in those beautiful eyes slowly gathered back.

She pouted slightly.

She was drawn to the calico cat that was still eyeing her.

With a tone that sounded like a declaration of war, he said:

"Humph~"

"One day..."

"I'll make you admit my touch!"

She was talking to a cat.

But there was that slightly raised chin and the glint in his eyes.

as if……

I passed through the fluffy ball in front of me.

It was aimed at a barrier that was further away and could not be "conquered" for the time being.

It's as if it's addressed to someone who isn't there.

It silently, yet with unparalleled clarity, proclaimed a certain determination.

(End of this chapter)