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

Chapter 155 Teacher Jiang's Acting Class Begins!
Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

The main plot of "Train to Busan" is progressing at a rapid pace on set.

The backstories, character development, and interpersonal tensions of all the main characters before the zombie virus outbreak have been fully revealed.

The atmosphere on set shifted from relaxed at first to subtly tense.

The real "disaster" is about to begin.

In these three days.

Bae Suzy has almost become Kang Jae-hoon's shadow.

As long as there are no filming assignments.

She always carries a script with her.

She appeared nearby with a mixture of curiosity and a "cat-catching plan" in mind.

Discussing Gong Yoo's micro-expressions, analyzing Ma Dong-seok's sense of power, and pondering Jung Yu-mi's portrayal of a pregnant woman's vulnerability and resilience...

And that calico cat.

This became Bae Suzy's biggest source of "challenge" and "fun".

Strange to say.

The calico cat that was pampered by the logistics staff in the temporary care area of ​​the entire film crew.

She was always affectionate and gentle to everyone.

Especially when he saw Ma Dong-seok, who was burly and had a kind and honest smile.

It was like seeing a long-lost relative.

Not only did it actively rub against his leg.

You can even roll around on your belly in his large palms without feeling guilty.

Even the child star who played "Shi Yu's" daughter approached with dried fish.

It will also meow in response.

He placed his fluffy head on the child's palm.

Only towards Bae Suzy—

This nationally renowned beauty, however, has always maintained an almost stubborn vigilance and resistance.

As long as Bae Suzy tries to get more than half a meter away.

Or it may reveal an intention to touch it.

The little guy immediately arched his back, puffed up his fur, and hissed – a "three-pronged defensive maneuver."

Several times.

Bae Suzy's fingers were only centimeters away from its furry head.

He was forced back by a very intimidating "Ha!"

If it were anyone else, they would be treated so "differently" by a cat.

I guess they've already lost interest.

But Bae Suzy seemed to have been inspired by some strange fighting spirit.

Target the cat by waiting in ambush (when it is sleepy).

The scent strategy (rub some of Kang Jae-hoon's clothes on yourself).

Then... he tried to bribe the logistics staff (but was firmly rejected).

If she applied that spirit of facing challenges head-on and never giving up to her acting career...

She probably already holds the title of "Best Actress/Best TV Actress" long ago, right?
Kang Jae-hoon's initial "watching the show" gradually turned into "being genuinely convinced."

He even began to suspect that someone had instilled some "strange ideas" in the cat.

Otherwise, how could this little thing have become so fixated on Bae Suzy...?

Is it the "Great Demon King"?
……

The brief background setup period has ended.

The preparation time for the lighting and photography teams was significantly extended.

Various complex rope traction, rotating tracks, and mobile cantilever devices were adjusted to their optimal state.

There was a tense feeling of impending storm in the air.

Nowadays.

Filming for "Train to Busan" has officially entered its climax—

Zombie Outbreak!

This marked the beginning of a horrific disaster that swept through the train carriages and shattered the peace.

The characters "Yongguk," played by Kang Jae-hoon, and "Jin-hee," played by Bae Suzy, will be separated.

This scene not only foreshadowed the beginning of the disaster.

Its scene arrangement and action requirements are extremely challenging.

A large number of zombie extras, whose faces have already begun to undergo preliminary special effects makeup (pale white base makeup, dark eyeshadow base), are under the direction of the assistant director.

He practiced repeatedly the signature movements of stiff joints, twisted limbs, and unnatural neck twitching.

Suppressed growls echoed throughout the shed.

"Jae-hoon, Suzy! Are you ready?"

Director Yeon Sang-ho's voice came through the walkie-talkie.

"Ready, Director."

"Ready."

The two looked at each other.

We walked toward the carriage that had been prepared in advance and decorated as a baseball team's private compartment.

Their positions were in the middle of the carriage.

The scene of the zombie virus outbreak—

An infected female train attendant will undergo a horrific transformation into a zombie in the lavatory of their carriage.

She then bit the nearest baseball team member.

This could trigger a chain reaction.

The entire carriage was instantly dragged into hell!
"Action!"

The clapper fell.

The camera first focuses on the restroom door at the connection between the carriages.

The doorknob is twisting violently and wildly from side to side in the center of the frame!

The metal hinges emitted a chilling "click-clack-clack" grinding sound!

Next!

"Bang--!!!!!!"

A deafening bang!

The flimsy bathroom door was violently smashed open from the inside by a terrifying force!

The female corpse variant, dressed in the iconic red flight attendant uniform, stumbled out in a completely anatomical, stiff, and unnatural manner!
The deathly pale face looked incredibly terrifying under the meticulously applied special effects makeup.

Its skin was pale and swollen, its bloodshot eyes showed only inhuman ferocity and hunger, and its mouth was torn upwards, from which thick, dark red "blood" flowed out!
She let out an inhuman roar.

She lunged at a baseball player (an extra) who was closest to the door and had his back to her.

"what--!!!"

The team member only had time to let out a short scream.

He was then violently pounced on by the zombies and knocked to the ground.

The sharp "teeth" instantly pierced the silicone implant in his neck.

Dark red "blood" gushed out!

"what--!"

"Holy crap! What is this thing?!"

"Monster! Monster!"

The entire carriage instantly descended into utter chaos.

Terrified screams, frantic running, the sound of seats being knocked over, the dull thud of luggage falling... all sorts of noises intertwined.

The camera remained firmly fixed on the middle section of the carriage.

"Rongguo," who was originally blushing from being teased by "Jinxi," saw this scene.

There was no hesitation.

He yanked the baseball cap that symbolized his team affiliation off his head.

"Axi!"

The body shot out like an arrow.

Facing the chaotic, screaming crowd.

Go against the tide of fear!

As the team leader.

The sense of responsibility of the guardians overcame their fear of the unknown monster!
He charged forward.

He swiftly pulled a metal baseball bat from under the seat next to him.

The cold, heavy touch gripped my palm tightly.

His gaze was fixed on the "female flight attendant" who was frantically biting her teammate.

Step forward!

Hip rotation!

Lower your shoulders!

A baseball player's professional movements are incorporated into this desperate shot!
"Go away!"

Kang Jae-hoon was like a fully drawn bow.

Moving the bat—

It was accompanied by the sound of the wind!

It drew a sharp silver arc through the air!

Aim for the zombie's head!

He swung his sword with a textbook-perfect, powerful strike!

"boom--!!!"

The immense impact left the stiff body like a tattered sack thrown about by a heavy truck.

It crashed diagonally into the seat next to it!
It made an even louder "crash!"

One hit.

Kang Jae-hoon didn't have time to observe.

He immediately rushed toward his teammate who was lying on the ground groaning in pain, blood gushing from his neck.

"Seungcheol! Seungcheol! Hold on! Look at me!"

He even wanted to reach out and cover the bleeding wound.

however.

at this time!

A sudden change occurred!

Cheng Zhe was originally clutching his neck and struggling in pain.

My body suddenly stiffened!
A strange "clucking" sound came from his throat.

Followed by.

My limbs began to twitch uncontrollably and violently!

He writhed wildly on the ground as if he'd been electrocuted!

The scene was bizarre and terrifying!
Kang Jae-hoon's outstretched hand froze in mid-air.

The anxiety on his face was instantly replaced by astonishment and disbelief.

"Cheng...Cheng Zhe?"

He instinctively took a step back.

Cheng Zhe on the ground convulsed even more violently.

His eyeballs were almost rolling out of their sockets.

"Ugh—!"

Cheng Zhe let out a non-human, drooling roar and sprang up from the ground!

His neck was hanging down at an unnatural angle.

The next second—

He then lunged at the stunned Kang Jae-hoon without a second thought!
As Kang Jae-hoon watched the twisting, lunging "Seung-cheol," his baseball bat seemed to instinctively swing again!

"Crack!"

Director Yeon Sang-ho's voice rang out like heavenly music.

The train carriage, which had just been a chaotic and screaming hell, seemed to have been put on pause.

It froze instantly.

"Cheng Zhe" stopped his attack instantly.

The ferocity on his face vanished, leaving only a grimacing expression as he rubbed his neck.

Kang Jae-hoon slowly lowered his grip on the baseball bat, his tense nerves suddenly relaxed, his chest rose and fell slightly, and a thin layer of sweat even appeared on his back.

He took a half-step back, still shaken.

so close……

In that atmosphere just now.

The body did indeed produce a stress response.

That blow landed.

The props department is probably crying...

Subsequently.

He even touched the baseball bat with a bit of a laugh.

This kind of zombie movie is completely unrestrained...

Surprisingly, it felt really fun to film this?
Before filming wraps up, I need to ask the director if I can try playing a zombie.

Even if it's just being a random passerby in a horde of zombies?
Let's have some fun!
Director Yeon Sang-ho sat in front of the monitor watching the playback—

The door was smashed open, a zombie in a red uniform lunged and bit, team members screamed, and the crowd erupted in chaos...

The movements are done in one go.

The atmosphere was fantastic.

Kang Jae-hoon's decisive action in drawing his bat against the current, the powerful swing, and the shock when he saw his teammate's convulsions...

Precise and accurate.

Director Yeon Sang-ho then rewound the camera back to Kang Jae-hoon's back as he rushed toward the source of the chaos.

In those crucial few seconds when he rushed out and turned his back to the camera.

The camera gave Bae Suzy a close-up of her expression—

Her character, Jin-hee, has beautiful, wide-open eyes.

The pupils are noticeably dilated in the eye sockets.

With a pure, immense—

at a loss.

It was as if the surreal and terrifying scene before my eyes had instantly stripped me of all my thinking abilities.

See this.

Kang Jae-hoon frowned slightly.

From the perspective of performance theory.

Bae Suzy's reaction was barely logical.

After all, it was quite a shock for an ordinary high school girl to suddenly witness such a horrific sight.

It's only natural to be terrified and stunned.

But in Kang Jae-hoon's heart...

This reaction lacks depth.

It's too flimsy.

Jin-hee is not your average naive and innocent girl.

She is sunny, proactive, and even a little carefree.

more importantly……

She had a strong, even somewhat obsessive, liking and concern for Rongguo.

The first second of the disaster.

In her eyes.

The image of Rong Guo rushing towards danger without hesitation was the focus of her attention in an instant!
Those two seconds of eye contact.

It shouldn't just be empty fear and confusion.

it should--

First, one is horrified by the sudden, terrifying scene before one's eyes (instinct).

The next second, your gaze will inevitably follow that familiar figure who rushed towards his teammates regardless of the danger (focus shift).

There should be fear in his eyes.

But more importantly, there is the heart-wrenching worry for his safety.

There was even a slight, subconscious urge to follow him, a feeling of being awestruck by his courage.

as well as……

The feeling of powerlessness as one's feet are held down by an overwhelming sense of fear.

Just like the skill he had seen in Gong Yoo, who could instantly shift his gaze.

That is a true slice of the complexities of human nature.

A single glance can convey so much.

"..."

Kang Jae-hoon didn't say anything.

He merely glanced at Director Yeon Sang-ho beside him.

Director Yeon Sang-ho's brows were also slightly furrowed.

Obviously.

He also caught that fleeting emotional break.

in fact.

Coordinating the filming of this long take was extremely challenging.

The chaotic routes of dozens of extras, Kang Jae-hoon's running and swinging movements, the coordination between the two zombie actors, and the trigger points for startled reactions at key moments...

All of these were the result of meticulous calculations and repeated rehearsals.

Ensuring that all elements are completed within this one line is almost a stroke of luck.

Bae Suzy's slightly vacant gaze was certainly flawed.

But what if we need to reshoot just for those two seconds of emotional expression?
This means re-coordinating and mobilizing dozens of people, re-laying tracks, rearranging the positions and safety protection points of the zombie actors, and re-capturing the chaotic and terrifying atmosphere...

The time cost is at least one hour.

Moreover, all subsequent steps have to be pushed back.

The next scenes for the two important actors, Gong Yoo and Ma Dong-seok, are scheduled very tightly...

What's more important is——

Can a reshoot guarantee the same level of completion in terms of overall coordination, on-site reaction, and impact as the current version?

The answer is clearly no.

"Director..."

The assistant director looked at him with a questioning gaze, clearly understanding the problem.

After a while.

Director Yeon Sang-ho's gaze quickly swept across the other parts of the setup behind the monitor.

There was silence for a few seconds.

finally.

With a solemn consideration of the overall situation, he slowly uttered the words:

"Go ahead."

The sound was transmitted throughout the film set via walkie-talkie:
"The overall atmosphere and effect are great! It's approved! Thank you everyone!"

When Kang Jae-hoon heard the word "pass".

My heart skipped a beat.

He was well aware of Director Yeon Sang-ho's meticulous attention to detail.

A shot had obvious flaws, yet it was still approved...

what does this mean?
This means that Bae Suzy's scenes will likely be cut during post-production editing.

Even completely cover it with shots from other angles.

She finally established the presence of the character "Jin-hee" after her first scene.

This could weaken the very beginning of this crucial scenario.

Kang Jae-hoon glanced at Bae Soo-ji without making a sound.

She seemed completely oblivious to the inadequacy of that brief moment.

His face showed a relaxed expression, as if he had completed a task.

I was even a little excited.

The film set quickly entered a new busy rhythm.

Director Yeon Sang-ho had already led the camera crew to the other end of the carriage, where a crucial scene had been set up: Gong Yoo and Ma Dong-seok discovering something amiss at the bathroom door and preparing to break in.

The zombie extras were also being reassigned in waves.

Take advantage of this brief period of chaos and shift in focus.

Kang Jae-hoon subtly moved toward Bae Soo-ji.

"Sooji".

Bae Soo-ji looked up when she heard the sound.

A smile immediately bloomed on his face:
"Jaehoon oppa's swing of the bat just now was so cool!"

She praised him generously: "I've heard rumors! The director must be satisfied on the monitor too."

Kang Jae-hoon sat down in the empty chair next to her.

He didn't respond to her immediately.

He turned to the side.

His gaze fell on Bae Suzy's face.

Very peaceful.

They were very serious.

"That one just now..."

He carefully considered his choice of words.

"The camera gave you a close-up during the few seconds I rushed out."

"Well, what happened?"

There was a hint of inquiry in her eyes.

There was also a hint of... tension, barely perceptible?
"Your reaction was one of confusion?"

Kang Jae-hoon tried his best to make his tone sound like he was discussing something.

Bae Suzy blinked.

He seemed to be recalling his performance just now.

"Yeah... Suddenly seeing something so scary... I was terrified, my mind went blank... I was just confused, wasn't I?" She tilted her head slightly.

"Yes. I was terrified, my mind went blank. This logical basis is valid."

Kang Jae-hoon nodded.

Make the sound gentler.

It's like stating an objective fact.

"However... what if we think about it more carefully?"

"Jin-hee is not an ordinary girl."

"She liked Rongguo. And she liked him very directly and paid close attention to him."

"In the very first second of the disaster, what captured her attention was Rong Guo's unwavering figure rushing out and heading towards danger."

"So that look in his eyes..."

"They might have been instinctively horrified by the terrifying sight before them at first."

"Then your gaze will immediately be drawn away by the figure rushing out."

“There will be fear in your eyes.”

"But more than that, it's heartbreaking."

"The kind of worry that makes your heart ache for him rushing into danger."

"They might even be a little bit shocked by his courage."

"An instinctive urge to follow them."

"Finally, there is the feeling of helplessness of being pinned to the spot by fear and unable to move."

Kang Jae-hoon spoke very slowly.

There was no strong indication of "you should do this or that".

It's more like a discussion describing a possibility that he believes is closer to the core of the character.

Bae Soo-ji listened.

The ease and slight smugness on his face completely disappeared.

Instead, it is replaced by focused reflection.

She slightly furrowed her beautiful brows.

I carefully savored each progressive stage described by Kang Jae-hoon.

The more you think.

A faint blush of shyness gradually spread across her fair cheeks.

It's like being pointed out by the teacher in class for a mistake in your homework.

original……

While she was immersed in the superficial emotion of being "terrified".

The "microscope" behind the camera is so precise that it captures the lack of depth and nuance in her emotions.

"So... that line just now... the director said 'it'..."

Bae Suzy's voice carried a hint of uncertainty and vague worry.

As an actor who has been in the industry for three years.

She also guessed the real-world considerations behind the director's shout of "cut".

I now understand even more clearly the editing fate that my performance in those two seconds might face.

Kang Jae-hoon nodded slightly.

"The time cost is too high. Senior actors Yoo Si-jin and Ma Dong-seok have very full schedules."

"but--"

"Instead of getting hung up on a shot that might be cut or can't be salvaged."

"Let's focus our energy on the scenes we can still control."

Kang Jae-hoon's gaze returned to Bae Suzy's face.

With a very direct, almost work-related seriousness:
"Our scenes in this movie."

"To be honest, it's not much."

"Especially after the zombie outbreak."

"Every scene, every shot."

"These are all limited opportunities for demonstration."

"What we should be considering is how to effectively and efficiently leave our own unique mark on the star power of seniors like Gong Yoo, Jung Yu-mi, and Ma Dong-seok."

Done.

Kang Jae-hoon didn't look at Bae Suzy's rapidly changing expression.

Was it surprise?
Is it awkward?
Or something else.

He stood up.

He casually picked up the baseball bat that was leaning against him.

"I'll go see if the props team needs any help."

Leave this sentence.

He then turned and walked toward the props team who were cleaning up the scene.

His back was straight and upright.

His steps were steady.

It seems that the almost blunt "criticism" just now...

For him, it was just a necessary work exchange.

That's it.

Bae Suzy sat in the chair, watching Kang Jae-hoon's retreating figure.

The expression on his face was like a spilled palette.

It turned red for a moment.

It was like the embarrassment and annoyance of having one's little secret exposed.

Then I felt a little lost.

It seems they didn't expect him to point it out so bluntly.

At last……

In those beautiful eyes.

A complex emotion slowly settled in.

There was an awkward moment when the words were spoken.

But more...

It's a kind of awakening that comes after being enlightened.

She lowered her head.

Looking at my fingers, which were intertwined without me even realizing it.

then.

She bit her lower lip.

It was as if they had made up their minds.

When I looked up again.

The confusion and embarrassment in his eyes had disappeared.

Instead, a brighter and more focused light shines through.

She took out her phone.

Open the memo.

My fingers flew across the screen.

The level of expression in Kang Jae-hoon's eyes that he just described.

Word by word.

I wrote it down carefully.

……

The past few days have passed in a flurry of filming and chaotic scheduling.

The "initial impact" phase of the zombie virus outbreak on the train has finally been overcome with difficulty.

The tough scenes that required a large number of extras, precise action choreography, and the ability to capture moments of terror have been largely completed.

The entire film set felt like it had been through a high-intensity battle.

Exhausted.

It also brings a period of relief.

What will happen next in the plot?

The main characters get off at Dongdaegu Station in an attempt to seek refuge.

But they discovered that the platform had already been overrun.

They were surrounded by a horde of zombies even more terrifying than those on the train.

After paying a heavy price.

The survivors were forced to flee back to the train, which had long since become a mobile hell.

This plot involves the platform falling, being surrounded by hordes of zombies, a massive chaotic escape, and re-boarding the train...

Location shooting, large-scale scene staging, and complex special effects transitions.

According to the filming plan.

These challenging scenes will be shown later.

It was completed using a combination of CGI green screen and location shooting.

current.

All efforts were focused on building the core train carriage scene inside the studio.

The scene after boarding the train is even more oppressive and puts humanity to the test in that confined space.

Today's scene is "Jin-hee," played by Bae Suzy, in the entire movie.

One of the few truly independent and shining moments.

She was no longer the high school girl who only knew how to flirt with him using direct approaches.

She was confronted with the naked evil of human nature.

It is a cold choice to sacrifice the individual for the survival of the collective.

Her struggle.

Her despair.

Her screams.

She waited for Rongguo relentlessly...

You performed well.

It can instantly make the character more three-dimensional.

It unleashed an astonishing emotional power.

It became a poignant bright spot amidst the chaos.

The performance was a failure...

Then all the spotlights.

All the dramatic tension.

They will all be completely taken away by the chillingly selfish and oppressive sense of Kim Eui-sung's portrayal of Executive Director Kim.

Jin-hee will be completely relegated to the background.

"..."

Before filming began.

Bae Suzy stood alone at the junction of the carriages.

They were far away from the actors and staff who were making their final preparations.

Anyone could see the tension and immense pressure she was under at that moment.

at that time.

Kang Jae-hoon has already done his makeup and hair.

Wearing that baseball uniform stained with artificial blood and dirt.

He habitually held the baseball bat in his hand.

He saw the figure in the corner whose back was clearly not in a good state.

He paused for a moment.

I still went over there.

Stop two steps away from her.

"nervous?"

Bae Suzy suddenly turned her head.

It was him.

The tense shoulders seemed to relax a little.

But the anxiety and pressure in his eyes were still clearly visible.

"……Um."

She didn't deny it.

"This scene... feels... so difficult."

Bae Suzy looked at Kang Jae-hoon with an urgent need for confirmation in her eyes:

"Senior Executive Director Kim... his presence is so powerful. When he was rehearsing his lines just now... that look in his eyes..."

She unconsciously pursed her lips as she recalled the scene.

"I...I'm afraid I won't be able to catch it."

"I'm afraid of being overshadowed by him..."

"I'm afraid I won't be able to portray Jin-hee like that... like that..."

She seemed to be searching for the right words.

Kang Jae-hoon offered no words of comfort.

There was no empty talk like "You can do it" either.

He simply asked calmly:
What do you think Jin-hee is most afraid of right now?

Bae Suzy was stunned for a moment.

He seemed surprised that I would ask that question.

"Afraid...afraid the door will close? Afraid Rongguo won't be able to get up?"

"Correct."

"But what about the deeper fear?"

"A deeper fear?"

Kang Jae-hoon nodded, his gaze sweeping over the cold metal door.

It's as if it can penetrate it.

I saw the platform outside, a scene of carnage and bloodshed.

"What she fears even more is..."

"Once the door is closed..."

"The Rongguo Kingdom... is truly gone."

"The one who would blush at her words, rush to her side without hesitation when she was in danger, and respond to her directness with a haughty attitude."

"The boy who made her feel like the whole world had lit up... is now forever stuck in that hell."

"so……"

Kang Jae-hoon's gaze returned to Bae Suzy's face:
"What does Executive Director Kim represent when he's about to close the business?"

Is it the rules? Is it the community? Is it survival?

"None of that matters. In Zhenxi's eyes, he is the murderer who will drag Rongguo into hell!"

"A demon that extinguished the last glimmer of hope!"

"So you have to pounce on him, scream, and try to push him away..."

"This is not because you are brave, nor because you know any great principles."

"Simply because—he's taking away the most important thing in your life!"

"That kind of despair, that kind of reckless madness..."

"That kind of..."

Kang Jae-hoon paused for a moment.

It seems they are searching for the most fitting metaphor.

"Like a mother animal protecting her cubs. Anything that tries to harm her young will be pounced upon and torn apart!"

"Even if the other party is a lion, a tiger, or a raging flood, I don't care at all!"

"So forget about technique, forget about the camera, forget about Kim Eui-sung's aura."

Just remember this—

"That bastard wasn't trying to close the door."

"It is the fate of Rongguo, the only world you care about!"

"..."

Bae Suzy's eyes followed Kang Jae-hoon's words.

Little by little, it lit up.

The tension and confusion churning within seemed to be completely burned away by an even stronger flame.

Instead.

It's almost obsessive.

The determination that has been ignited.

She took a deep breath.

He nodded heavily.

"I see!"

Just as she turned around.

As they prepared to walk to their designated positions.

Kang Jae-hoon's voice came from behind again.

"Oh, right."

Bae Suzy paused in her steps.

She turned to look at him, puzzled.

Kang Jae-hoon's gaze seemed a little unfocused.

"The logistics team..."

“I saw yesterday that they seemed to have received a new batch of…that…cat food.”

"The brand seems pretty good."

"if you……"

He paused.

It seems that this statement is somewhat redundant.

But in the end, she still said it.

"If you really want to 'win over' that cat..."

"Feed it something good."

"Maybe... the effect will be faster."

at that time.

Bae Suzy's face, which had just been ignited with fighting spirit.

suddenly.

He then broke into an extremely bright smile.

Like sunlight breaking through dark clouds in an instant.

"Know it!"

She responded crisply.

With light steps, they walked toward the battlefield where filming was about to begin, a place filled with questions of humanity.

……

[PS: The June fan title event has begun. Interested readers can check the event rules posted by the "Operations Officer" in the book review section.]

(End of this chapter)