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

Chapter 156 Cat Bites Suzy and Yoona Get a Call

Chapter 156 Cat Bites Suzy and Yoona Get a Call
"Crack!"

The area around the monitor was crowded with people.

In the playback footage—

Bae Suzy's character, Jin-hee, is suddenly thrown aside by Kim Eui-sung's character, Executive Director Kim, and her shoulder blade slams hard against the cold carriage wall!

She did not cry helplessly or plead with the train conductor.

Instead, it reacted as if it were driven to desperation, lunging at the control panel and frantically trying to stop the door-closing button from being pressed with its own body...

"Great! Suzy! Excellent!"

After reviewing the playback from various camera angles.

Director Yeon Sang-ho expressed his undisguised appreciation for Bae Suzy's performance.

"That's the feeling! The explosive power is there! The emotions are on point!"

The staff and actors waiting in the wings couldn't help but cast approving glances at Bae Suzy.

Kim Eui-sung's aura was just too strong.

That oppressive feeling of being willing to do anything to survive can completely engulf the actors in the same scene.

But Bae Suzy caught it.

She even unleashed a despair and madness that rivaled her opponent's, a despair that belonged to Jin-hee.

Bae Suzy's chest was still heaving slightly from the intense emotional outburst she had just experienced.

After hearing the director's affirmation.

Her tense shoulders finally relaxed completely.

He let out a long breath.

then.

Amidst the staff's quiet praise.

Bae Suzy immediately looked at Kang Jae-hoon, who was about to make his entrance from another entrance.

Eyes facing each other.

Kang Jae-hoon gave her a thumbs-up without any hesitation.

Bae Suzy's face still showed traces of tension and a flush from exertion.

In an instant, it was replaced by an extremely bright smile.

Her eyes curved into crescent moons.

His lips curled up in a wide smile.

That smile.

On the set, where the atmosphere was still somewhat oppressive after a test of humanity.

Like a ray of sunlight suddenly shining.

It was so bright it was dazzling.

……

for the rest of the time.

The film set has completely entered a high-speed "hell mode".

The focus shifted to Kang Jae-hoon, Gong Yoo, and Ma Dong-seok.

They were about to shoot one of the most thrilling and climactic scenes in the entire film.

—The main trio (Shi Yu, Shang Hua, and Rong Guo) work to rescue Shi Yu's daughter and Shang Hua's wife, who are trapped in carriage number 13.

They had to start from their carriage number 9 and walk through four carriages that were completely filled with zombies.

I met them in the restroom of carriage number 13.

They finally broke through the encirclement and reached safe car number 15.

An epic, desperate chase that runs throughout the entire film, pushing the tension to its limit!
"Final confirmation from all departments!"

"The location of the protective pad!"

"A bloodstain package! A prosthetic limb prop!"

"Safety officer in position!"

"Extras, take your positions! Watch your expressions! Don't accidentally hurt anyone!"

The assistant director's screams echoed through the huge, noisy set via walkie-talkie.

Every step requires precision down to the millisecond.

Every swing, every run, every "breakthrough," every dodge and bite...

Perfect coordination is required for all of them.

Any mistake could lead to equipment damage or even personal injury.

a whole day.

From morning to night.

Time passed amidst deafening roars, rapid footsteps, the sound of props breaking, and the director's almost roaring commands.

Everyone is like a cog in a high-speed machine.

My nerves were stretched to the limit.

Sweat soaked through the costume.

A scene in just one train carriage often takes a whole day to film.

When the main characters finally broke through the door of carriage number 15, which symbolized "safety".

When faced with a cold standoff with selfish survivors like Executive Director Kim.

It was a week later.

The day's filming has officially ended.

The night is deep.

The film set was still brightly lit.

Staff are busy dismantling equipment and sets.

Kang Jae-hoon and Bae Suzy walked along the now empty corridor of the film studio.

They walked slowly side by side toward the exit.

"Director Yan... he's a devil."

Bae Suzy broke the silence.

His voice carried a sense of exhaustion from surviving a disaster, along with a hint of bitter resentment.

In this scene, she experiences a powerful, silent struggle—

Even with her mouth tightly covered from behind by the flight attendant, the camera needed to capture the suppressed yet still explosive force within her, her desperate desire to open the door.

For these few seconds of footage.

Eight takes were filmed in total.

"Yes."

Kang Jae-hoon nodded in deep agreement.

His situation wasn't easy either.

After the tragic sacrifice of "Sang-hwa," played by Ma Dong-seok, "Rong-guk," driven by extreme grief and anger, frantically smashes the door of carriage number 15, which separates the survivors from the safety gate, with a baseball bat.

Director Yeon Sang-ho demanded that every blow be a real hit.

It needs to create a sense of desperate power and a piercing explosion that can shake a door frame.

First take completed.

Kang Jae-hoon's arm was so sore and swollen that he could barely lift it.

In order to capture the perfect angle and emotional outburst, this "smashing the door" scene was filmed five times.

When it's time to wrap up work.

His hand was numb from the shock.

My right arm was completely powerless, and the muscles in my forearm were trembling uncontrollably.

"correct."

Bae Suzy seemed to suddenly remember something.

Their eyes shone brightly in the dim light of the passageway.

"I fed my cat some super expensive food yesterday, and the effect was... well..."

She deliberately drew out her words, keeping everyone in suspense.

She smiled, her lips pursed, when she saw the way Kang Jae-hoon looked over.

"It seems... there's been a tiny bit of progress?"

"At least……"

"They didn't scold me today!"

"Although I still won't let you touch me..."

Kang Jae-hoon looked into her bright, sparkling eyes.

They seem to be seriously considering the reasons for this "progress".

quite a while.

He then slowly added:

"So it seems that expensive cat food is indeed expensive for a reason."

"ah!"

Bae Suzy's sudden increase in volume drew the attention of several staff members who were tidying up equipment nearby.

He quickly lowered his head and got back to work.

"Isn't the key point that my sincerity moved it?"

She glared at Kang Jae-hoon, feigning displeasure.

Kang Jae-hoon was about to say something.

A crisp cell phone ringtone abruptly broke the quiet night at the film set exit.

He paused, gave Bae Suzy a slightly apologetic smile, and reached into his coat pocket to take out his phone.

The name flashing on the screen is—

Yoona

Kang Jae-hoon's lips naturally curved into a gentle smile as he swiped his finger to answer the call:
"Hey?"

Standing to the side, Bae Suzy smiled the moment she saw Kang Jae-hoon—

Her smile, which had originally carried a hint of coquettishness and playfulness, froze for a mere half-second, like ripples on a lake surface touched by a gentle breeze.

Her beautiful eyebrows lifted slightly, almost imperceptibly.

Those seemingly expressive eyes glanced for a moment at the phone Kang Jae-hoon was holding.

Then he immediately turned away as if nothing had happened.

My gaze fell on the temporary cat care center not far away, where the lights were still on.

only……

But their ears unconsciously perked up.

"What are you doing?"

Yoona's slightly languid voice came through the receiver.

The background noise was a bit loud.

It appears to be inside a moving vehicle.

"Just finished work and are walking out."

Kang Jae-hoon answered honestly.

"Are you exhausted?"

"No, that's not true. My seniors have been very kind to me. Senior Gong Yoo even gave me acting advice."

Kang Jae-hoon casually glossed over the intense filming process that had lasted for several days.

They were trying to create the illusion of a "relaxed shoot".

"lie."

"Ok?"

"If you're not tired, why haven't you sent us any photos of your 'little princess' these past few days?"

Seeing that they had been exposed.

Kang Jae-hoon habitually touched the back of his neck, only managing a few dry laughs.

"By the way, how's filming going over there? When are you coming back?" He abruptly changed the subject.

"Good luck!"

Yoona's answer was crisp and clear, with a sweet, slightly upturned tone at the end.

"What's wrong? Missing me?"

She asked the question with perfect ease.

But it made Kang Jae-hoon's heart race.

Before I could even organize my thoughts to respond to this "surprise attack".

In the blink of an eye...

Suddenly, Bae Suzy let out a short, high-pitched exclamation from beside her!

"Oh--!"

The voice was filled with utter fear and... a little bit of deliberately amplified grievance?
Kang Jae-hoon turned his head sharply upon hearing the sound—

Before they knew it, the two had walked to the area near the temporary cat care center.

Bae Suzy was standing there looking rather disheveled.

One hand covered the fingers of the other hand.

His beautiful eyebrows furrowed in pain.

And that little princess who is the "source of all evil"—the calico cat!

He is currently squatting on the prop box.

He stared intently at Bae Soo-ji.

What just happened is obvious.

Jiang Zai Xun was startled and forgot about the phone call.

He took two steps and was next to Bae Suzy.

"Are you ok?"

Bae Suzy pitifully showed him the tip of her index finger—

There were only two faint, almost invisible white marks on it, and the skin wasn't even broken.

See this.

Kang Jae-hoon breathed a sigh of relief and poked the furry head of the "culprit".

"Jae-hoon, who are you with?"

Kang Jae-hoon then remembered that the phone was still connected.

He quickly held it to his ear to explain, his eyes still fixed on Bae Suzy's pitiful look:

"Just now, Suzy tried to touch the little princess, and the little one bit her..."

"Pfft..."

A clear, short, suppressed laugh came from the other end of the phone.

The laughter was tinged with undisguised schadenfreude.

There's also a hint of... "Well done" in it.

But then.

Yoona's laughter stopped abruptly, like a cassette tape suddenly jamming.

Suzy?
Bae Suzy?!

and many more!

Im Yoona's alert antennae instantly went up!

—Why did that cat have to bite her at this time?
And what a "coincidence" that it happened when Kang Jae-hoon was on the phone?
Was the scream perfectly timed?
……

The sudden silence from Yoona's side caused a few seconds of silence from Jae-hoon's side as well.

The atmosphere became subtly tense for a moment.

"They've all turned red."

Sudden.

Bae Suzy held the almost invisible fingertip directly in front of Kang Jae-hoon's eyes.

They were so close they could almost touch the tip of his nose.

Startled by her sudden movement, Kang Jae-hoon instinctively leaned his head back.

His gaze fell on the two faint white marks on her fair fingertips, marks that seemed about to disappear in the next second.

"Your cat bit me, you're responsible!"

"Responsible?"

Kang Jae-hoon almost reflexively gave the most practical advice:
"...Go find the film crew's medical staff to spray some disinfectant?"

"What about the wounded hearts that need comforting?" Bae Suzy drawled.

Then he moved his fingertips forward another half a step.

On the other end of the phone.

Lim Yoona clearly heard Bae Suzy's almost coquettish and unreasonable "responsibility theory".

The fingers gripping the phone tightened silently in the dimly lit back seat of the car.

When he spoke again.

His voice remained as calm as a still lake, even carrying a hint of relaxed laughter:

What content will be filmed tomorrow?

Kang Jae-hoon's attention was indeed drawn back, and he explained:

"We're going to the Busan Railway Maintenance Plant tomorrow to film an explosion scene."

"In that case... we can't afford to keep getting upset by the little princess's antics and not getting enough rest."

Lin Yoona paused for a moment.

It's as if they're thinking about the most suitable solution.

"so."

"I'll have Soon-kyu unnie pick it up tomorrow, and you can pick it up after you finish filming."

"It'll save you trouble, and the little princess will be taken better care of. What do you think?"

This makes sense.

Watertight.

This was a considerate arrangement made entirely based on Kang Jae-hoon's physical condition and workload.

However, this has already cut off all avenues for Bae Suzy to continue "taking responsibility" for entangled with Kang Jae-hoon under the pretext of the cat's injury.

—The cats are all going to be given away, what excuse do you have left?

How can I use the excuse of feeding or watching the cats to get closer to them?
……

Kang Jae-hoon had no objection to Yoona's seemingly "thoughtful" but actually detrimental "sending the cat away" arrangement, but felt a little embarrassed to trouble Lee Soon-kyu again.

"It's okay~ Anyway, we're just killing time, let her take care of the cat so she won't keep complaining about being bored."

"I'll just buy her a few bottles of good wine as a thank you gift."

This plan is very well thought out.

It also takes into account interpersonal relationships and social etiquette.

Jiang Zai Xun gradually let go of his embarrassment.

"Okay, then I'll leave the arrangements to you, Yoona..."

"Then you should get some rest and be careful while filming."

Yoona's voice remained gentle.

Like the most understanding and comforting companion.

"Okay, you too."

The phone hangs up.

Kang Jae-hoon had just put the phone down from his ear.

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed that Bae Suzy's cheeks seemed a little fuller.
"The cat will be picked up by Sun-kyu noona tomorrow."

Hear this.

Bae Suzy's expression, which had been slightly puffed out, suddenly became somewhat strange:
"Sunny? Lee Sunny? Sunny sunbaenim?"

"Correct."

Bae Suzy blinked her beautiful eyes.

She had been thinking it was Krystal Jung on the other end of the phone.

after all.

The gentle smile that naturally appeared when Kang Jae-hoon answered the phone made her subconsciously accept this guess.

That's why I used some underhanded tactics.

They created a little bit of an "accident".

He wanted to make his presence felt "in front of" Krystal Jung, or more accurately, during the phone call between Kang Jae-hoon and Krystal Jung.

The results appear now.

It's impossible for Krystal Jung to be able to freely manipulate Sunny.

Especially after her sister left the group.

Who could that be?

Bae Suzy suddenly felt that her brain wasn't working properly.

It's not because I can't guess who's on the other end of the phone.

But...

She discovered that the network of relationships surrounding Kang Jae-hoon seemed to be much more complex and intertwined than she had previously imagined.

It seems...

I absolutely have to update my intelligence network when I get back!
"Oh~"

The deliberate grievance and doubt on Bae Suzy's face vanished instantly, replaced by her bright, slightly mischievous expression.

"Alright."

"So that I won't get bitten by it again."

He sounded so relaxed.

It was as if she wasn't the one who had just been pointing her finger and crying out in pain.

"Let's go?"

Bae Suzy took the first step.

Heading towards the exit.

Kang Jae-hoon also picked up the calico cat and the carrier and followed.

The huge overhead lights on the set went out one by one behind them.

Only a faint glimmer of light remained at the exit at the end of the passage.

……

the next day.

It's just dawn.

Several film crew buses, filled with equipment and personnel, drove away from the film studio on the outskirts of Seoul and headed south along the highway.

destination--

Busan Metropolitan City Locomotive Depot Railway Vehicle Repair Plant.

The most visually stunning outdoor explosion scenes in the second half of "Train to Busan" will be filmed there.

A dedicated filming track area laid out on-site.

Director Yeon Sang-ho is holding the clapperboard drawings.

Pointing to the area marked with white lines on the ground and the several spray points that had been set up in advance:

"Jaehoon, Suzy, do you see that red X mark on the ground?"

"Wait until you run here—the explosive device will detonate about five meters in front of you."

"You need to make the motion of being violently pushed away by the blast wave from the explosion behind you!"

"understand!"

They both responded in unison.

It's obviously impossible to film a real collision between two massive objects.

The area in front of us has been cleared out.

At the ends of the tracks on both sides are two abandoned carriages covered in rust and aged.

However, their "collision" relies entirely on post-production CG compositing.

On-site, only specialized equipment is needed to create sound effects such as small-scale explosions, spark ejection, and simulated violent impacts.

The stunt team brought over a modified hand-cranked popcorn machine with an exaggerated design, resembling a giant cannon.

"Action!"

A giant hand-cranked popcorn machine is being vigorously shaken by a stuntman.

It emitted a dull, compressed sound.

Followed by.

"Bang!!!"

A deafening roar, accompanied by a strong metallic tearing and shockwave, suddenly exploded in the relatively enclosed factory area like a thunderclap.

Almost at the same instant the loud noise occurred.

Multiple pyrotechnic devices pre-installed at a safe distance on both sides of the track are activated simultaneously!

"Sizzle—hiss—!"

Several blinding orange-red flames, accompanied by large clumps of extremely dense simulated smoke made of cornstarch and food coloring, erupted rapidly from the device's opening like a small volcanic eruption.

The thick black fog spread instantly with tremendous force.

It devoured Kang Jae-hoon and Bae Suzy at a speed visible to the naked eye.

The terrifying effects simulated by the enormous sound waves and visual impact almost instantly seized everyone's senses!
Kang Jae-hoon's portrayal of "Yong-guk" almost reflexively, with an explosive force beyond instinct, leaned back (simulating being hit by a blast of air) while—

He tightly gripped Bae Suzy's character "Jin-hee," who was already stunned by the noise, pulling her body close to his chest.

Kang Jae-hoon used his entire back and sides to form a solid barrier, blocking the incoming smoke and dust and the impact of the simulated air blast to the greatest extent possible.

The two crashed heavily onto the soft, thick green cushioning pad.

But because he shielded her, Bae Suzy barely felt any impact.

All she could hear was the deafening roar of the explosion and Kang Jae-hoon's heavy, suppressed groans.

They were completely engulfed by thick, scalding smoke that smelled of gunpowder.

The world before my eyes was nothing but a rolling, suffocating darkness.

"Crack!"

"Don't move! Safety officer, check the situation!"

The action director's shouts followed immediately.

Safety officers and medical personnel wearing orange vests immediately rushed into the still-smoky interior.

"How's it going? Are you okay?"

"No...it's okay!"

Kang Jae-hoon propped himself up, signaling to the safety officer that he was alright, while looking down at Bae Suzy, whom he was protecting beneath him:
"Are you alright? Are you injured?"

Bae Suzy finally managed to open her eyes, which were stung by the smoke and dust.

My chest feels quite tight.

But there was no physical injury.

"No...cough cough...it's nothing..."

The safety officer and the action instructor quickly helped the two people up.

Carefully lead them away from the smoke-filled core area and to the relatively open upwind area.

The thick, black smoke was finally dispersed somewhat by the wind.

The scene before me became clear.

Bae Suzy raised her head to check on Kang Jae-hoon, who had just risked his life to protect her.

however--

The moment her gaze focused on the face of the person in front of her.

Those beautiful eyes, reddened by smoke and glistening with tears, widened in astonishment.

next second.

"Pfft... Pfft... Pfft haha ...

Bae Suzy could no longer control herself.

He bent over and burst into laughter without any regard for his image.

Kang Jae-hoon: "?"

"Hahahaha...you...your face...hahahahaha..."

She laughed so hard she could barely speak coherently.

All he could do was point at Kang Jae-hoon with his finger.

Kang Jae-hoon was baffled by her laughter.

He subconsciously raised his hand to touch his face.

Looking down at my palm...

Those once clean palms were now covered with a thick layer of black soot, like the bottom of a pot!

Looking at the blue and white baseball uniform he was wearing for the shoot, he saw that from his shoulders to his chest, it was covered with an incredibly even layer of dark black, like an ink wash painting.

Bae Suzy was still there, laughing heartily.

While laughing.

While doing so, he didn't forget to take out his phone.

Unlocked very quickly.

Open the camera.

Looking at Kang Jae-hoon's face—

"Crack!"

A crisp click of the shutter sounded.

Jiang Jae-hoon: “…”

He looked at Bae Suzy expressionlessly.

The latter stared at the image on his phone screen that looked like it had just crawled out of a coal mine.

Only the whites of the eyes and teeth barely make it out that it is a human-shaped face.

They laughed even more unrestrainedly.

at that time.

The makeup artist jogged over carrying her toolbox.

Seeing Kang Jae-hoon's face, which resembled Bao Gong's, I couldn't help but burst out laughing.

Then I felt it was impolite.

Quickly forced a stern expression:
“Jae-hoon-ssi… could you please tilt your head back slightly…”

She took out a thick cotton pad soaked in makeup remover.

I was about to help him wipe off the charcoal-like grime from his face.

"Unnie, let me do it!"

Bae Suzy seemed to think she had laughed enough, or perhaps she had finally had a change of heart?

She put away her phone, took a step forward and asked the makeup artist for a few thick cotton pads, and naturally reached her hand towards Kang Jae-hoon's face.

"Need not!"

Almost instinctively, Kang Jae-hoon jerked his head back sharply to avoid her outstretched hand.

He moved so fast he almost tripped and stumbled.

He instinctively raised his hand to shield his face:
"I can do it myself."

See this.

The makeup artist quickly took over the reins:

"I'll do it. Don't move, Xunxi."

She began to carefully wipe the stains off Kang Jae-hoon's face.

Thick cotton pads got on the skin.

It left behind distinct gray-black watermarks.

It revealed the skin underneath, which was also covered in soot, but not as dramatically.

Bae Suzy, standing to the side, didn't insist any further.