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

Chapter 165 Suzy's Legs and Yoona's Letter
The afternoon filming moved to the artist waiting room area, which is a private space for artists at KBS Entertainment Bureau.

The set design meticulously recreated the dressing room of a top celebrity.

Spacious.

bright.

A huge makeup mirror surrounds the light bulb.

Various stage costumes were hanging on the clothes rack.

Kang Jae-hoon's character, Baek Seung-chan, and several other newcomers followed behind Gong Hyo-jin's character, Tak Ye-jin, like a string of timid little tails.

"I've got it—"

Zhuo Yizhen walked quickly and hurriedly, not turning her head as she spoke:
"Rules are rules. There are red lines in the budget, and there are standards for program rating. As producers, we have to make the program entertaining, but we also have to abide by these rules and regulations..."

Before he could finish speaking...

bang-

Zhuo Yizhen forcefully pushed open the door to the waiting room, which bore the nameplate "Cindy".

The door slammed hard against the wall buffer.

The standby room is well-lit.

Several floor-to-ceiling mirrored walls reflected the light, making them appear somewhat dazzling.

Central location.

Cindy, played by Bae Suzy, is standing.

She was originally facing away from the door, talking to an agent who was hunched over and looked embarrassed.

The backlighting accentuated her slender and delicate, undulating silhouette.

The reason everyone came was because of the stage outfit he was wearing.

The upper body is made of delicate mesh.

From the collarbone to above the ribs, there is a densely woven fine yarn.

The arms are made of lace-like stocking material, which is semi-transparent and allows you to see the slender lines of the arms.

It abruptly narrows downwards.

The form-fitting material outlines a smooth curve at the waist, and then boldly opens a diamond-shaped "skylight" at the flat and firm abdomen, revealing a section of jade-like skin and a flat and firm waist.

Further down.

The fabric, clinging closely to the skin, features a semi-transparent design with the same stocking texture, subtly outlining the firm curves of the waist and hip area.

Her lower body was clad in an exceptionally sleek, high-waisted black shorts.

Hot and daring.

It contrasts sharply with the soft and feminine look of the top.

From the moment he entered the room, Kang Jae-hoon's gaze was fixed on Bae Suzy's long, straight, well-proportioned, and even glossy legs.

Good guy...

Last time at the dinner party after the draft test.

His arbitrary and hasty comparison of Bae Suzy and Im Yoona's figures is clearly capricious and hasty.

—The proportions of Bae Suzy's legs are on a completely different aesthetic level from those of Lim Yoona.

In terms of the artistic impact and pure aesthetic tension of her "leg-body proportions" alone, Bae Suzy at this stage is even... subtly superior to Yoona.

“Cindy xi, I’m Tak Ye-jin, the PD of Music Bank.”

Gong Hyo-jin, playing Tak Ye-jin, said aggressively:

"I just clearly emphasized that wearing overly revealing clothes on stage is not allowed!"

I heard the senior actor start reciting his lines.

Kang Jae-hoon quickly suppressed the inappropriate "aesthetic appreciation" that was on his mind.

after all.

While those beautiful legs were certainly visually striking, he couldn't keep staring at them.

The best way is to——

Immerse yourself completely in the role of Baek Seung-chan, a newcomer to the workplace, and "openly" and secretly watch~
……

Cindy, played by Bae Suzy, turned her head upon hearing the sound.

Her meticulously applied stage makeup made her look even more stunning and aloof up close.

She raised her chin slightly.

His gaze casually swept over Zhuo Yizhen—

From her simple beige suit and dark wide-leg pants, one could see her unsmiling face.

immediately.

As if she had heard some absurd joke, a clear, disdainful smile appeared on her cherry-red lips.

"Exposed?"

Bae Suzy tilted her head slightly.

Her slender, white fingers slowly and deliberately brushed across the uniquely textured, semi-transparent fabric on her arm.

The movements carried an almost defiant elegance.

“PD nim, this isn’t revealing clothing, it’s nice-looking clothing.”

have to say.

Bae Suzy captured Cindy's arrogant and domineering attitude towards the producers with extreme precision.

Kang Jae-hoon knew it.

This is a stark contrast to her private personality.

To be able to act to this extent.

This is enough to prove that she obviously put a lot of effort into studying this role.

……

"Looking good doesn't mean it's compliant! TV stations have..."

Before she could finish speaking, Cindy, played by Bae Suzy, interrupted Tak Ye-jin's official speech:
"All stage costumes are designed for visual impact on the audience. If the audience likes them, then they're suitable! PD-nim's fashion sense..."

Her gaze swept over Zhuo Yizhen's casual business attire once more.

He let out a soft "heh".

The unspoken meaning is self-evident.

Gong Hyo-jin was so angry that her chest heaved:
“Cindy xi! Watch your attitude! This is a work environment! The dress code is to avoid…”

That’s it for now.

The smell of gunpowder was so strong it could almost ignite the air.

however.

Bae Suzy seemed tired of this pointless argument.

His gaze suddenly passed over Gong Hyo-jin and landed on Baek Seung-chan, played by Kang Jae-hoon.

"That...bowl cut."

All eyes instantly turned to Kang Jae-hoon's face like spotlights.

Baek Seung-chan, played by Kang Jae-hoon, was clearly startled.

Look around.

Hesitantly, he pointed to himself.

"Yes, that's you."

Cindy's chin is slightly raised.

"My clothes..."

She lightly touched the alluring openwork at her waist with her fingertips.

"is it beautiful?"

"Inside!"

Baek Seung-chan, played by Kang Jae-hoon, nodded almost immediately.

A bright, innocent, and even slightly silly smile instantly bloomed on his face.

His gaze was "innocently" focused on Bae Suzy.

"very beautiful!"

"puff……"

A newcomer next to him couldn't hold back.

He let out a breathy sound that he tried to suppress but couldn't quite manage.

at the same time
Gong Hyo-jin, who plays Tak Ye-jin, suddenly turned her head.

His sharp gaze, like two cold knives, was fixed on Jiang Zai Xun's overly smiling face—Little brother! Whose side are you on anyway?!
Kang Jae-hoon's bright smile froze instantly.

Almost reflexively, he timidly took a small half-step back.

Her eyes darted frantically to the ground, as if she wanted to become invisible.

In this brief pause of stillness.

Bae Suzy's face immediately showed a smug look, and she glanced at Tak Ye-jin, who was furious and her face had turned blue, with a look that was almost pitying but also extremely sarcastic.

Her cherry-red lips parted slightly:
"Na."

“PD nim…”

She shrugged at Gong Hyo-jin:

"Men all like to see me dressed like this."

"..."

"Crack!"

The director's voice pierced the tense atmosphere in the waiting room.

Like a soap bubble that has been popped.

The tense atmosphere instantly relaxed.

The aggressive, poppy-like arrogance on Bae Suzy's face seemed to vanish instantly.

Instead, a gentle apology was offered.

She immediately bowed towards Kong Hyo-jin, whose face was still visibly stiff:
"Hyojin unnie, thank you for your hard work! I was rude just now."

They adopted an extremely humble posture.

Before the anger on Gong Hyo-jin's face could fade, she was momentarily speechless at this sincere gratitude.

This is her first time working with Bae Suzy.

There were many rumors about this "nation's first love" before.

But after acting alongside her up close today, setting aside the halo of character portrayal, what Gong Hyo-jin captured was an exceptionally efficient working style—

They can get in quickly and leave quickly, and they handle the emotions of their partners perfectly.

This sense of proportion...

No wonder...

Kong Hyo-jin's gaze swept over Kang Jae-hoon, who was still standing to the side, seemingly unintentionally.

The radar of womanhood in her heart silently clicked.

But it wasn't obvious on his face:
"Don't overthink it, she acted very well. Cindy's energy is very captivating."

"Thank you, Hyojin unnie!"

Upon receiving affirmation from her senior, Bae Suzy's smile instantly blossomed even brighter.

Gong Hyo-jin smiled and gently patted Bae Soo-ji's arm: "Let's go and see how it goes."

"Inside~"

The group moved toward the monitor.

Bae Suzy subtly fell half a step behind, standing side by side with Kang Jae-hoon.

He nudged his arm with his elbow in a very natural and gentle way.

Kang Jae-hoon subconsciously turned his head to look at her.

Bae Suzy stared straight ahead, but her red lips parted slightly, masked by the noisy background noise:
"Does it look good?"

"What?" Kang Jae-hoon didn't react for a moment.

"leg."

Bae Suzy's pronunciation is clear and concise.

"..."

Kang Jae-hoon stiffened his neck.

In the show, "Cindy" complimented his clothes, which was necessary for the role.
Outside of the drama, Bae Suzy herself pointed out that he had been secretly glancing at someone, and even asked him so directly...

That's a completely different matter.

Bae Soo-ji sensed his sudden stiffness and embarrassment.

The smile in his eyes deepened.

She didn't ask any more questions.

I didn't even look at him.

But he still kept up with the person in front of him with light steps.

……

The monitor screen was replaying the intense exchange that had just ended.

Cindy, dressed in an amazing stage outfit and looking down on everyone else, is portrayed with great tension by Bae Suzy. The sharpness in her eyes and the unquestionable arrogance in her tone are all captured in her performance.

Especially when that casual line, "PD nim, this isn't revealing clothing, it's nice-looking clothing," came out.

Even Gong Hyo-jin herself couldn't help but raise an eyebrow again—

This girl really knows how to handle that kind of energy.

Then came the scene of Baek Seung-chan, played by Kang Jae-hoon, grinning foolishly after being suddenly called out, and saying "Very beautiful!", accompanied by Tak Ye-jin's instantly frozen, angry glare...

"puff……"

The actor playing another newcomer couldn't help but laugh again.

The screen image finally froze on Kang Jae-hoon's frozen smile, his cowardly hunchback, and Bae Suzy's triumphant and extremely sarcastic expression: "Well... men all like to see me dressed like this."

Kong Hyo-jin nodded repeatedly as she read.

They whispered to the director about the details of a certain glance.

Kang Jae-hoon stood a little behind.

My gaze was fixed on the screen, but my mind was wandering.

The artistic rendering of this conflict accounts for 99%.

Reality?

In reality, even top idols would never dare to show such an undisguisedly hostile attitude towards TV program producers who hold the power of life and death.

—Image.

It is the core asset upon which idols rely for their livelihood.

Even the slightest negative rumor can trigger an avalanche.

For example, Bae Joo-hyun caused a huge uproar simply because she said a few words to a senior stylist she had worked with for many years that showed obvious impatience (and may not even have been insults).

Apologies, work stoppages, severely damaged image...

The cost was immeasurably high.

Cindy dares to criticize Zhuo Yizhen like this?

That was purely an extreme exaggeration by the screenwriter to create character conflict and charm.

But Bae Soo-ji's portrayal of Cindy, a character who "abuses her beauty," lacks respect for her seniors, and is even a bit mean, is so vivid and nuanced that it makes viewers both hate her and want to keep watching...

Behind this.

It definitely reflects her profound observations of the entertainment industry and some of her professional experiences.

The complex resource games within those combinations.

Those behind the scenes experienced and witnessed absolute suppression from those in high positions.

Those subtle details of secretly vying for a stage position or the order in which the host says something...

All of these became the arc of light that Bae Suzy projected onto the character at this moment.

……

"Alright, alright, that's a pass!"

The director's voice, brimming with satisfaction, announced that the cut was approved:

"Prepare for the next scene! Clear the waiting room. Ye-jin and Cindy have a private conversation."

An assistant came forward to help touch up the makeup.

The staff immediately sprang into action.

Adjust and align the camera.

Bae Suzy's character, Cindy, has a slightly impatient look on her face.

Gong Hyo-jin, who plays Tak Ye-jin, has an icy expression.

The actor playing the assistant agent bowed last as he exited.

The door to the waiting room was gently closed.

A soft click sounded. Just as the door hinges closed, cutting off the outside view—

Zhuo Yizhen's face, with its icy, angry expression that represented the authority of a television producer, was like an ice shell melted by the heatwave.

It shatters and dissolves instantly.

Instead, a forced, awkward smile mixed with ingratiation and even a touch of humility.

The entire aura shifted from the "PD's rage" of wanting to devour the other party whole.

They switched to the "supplier" posture when facing important clients.

This stark contrast.

Even without lines.

It was enough to make the director who captured this close-up shot behind the camera exclaim in admiration.

Zhuo Yizhen's sudden change in attitude was not a sign of schizophrenia, but rather a stark reflection of the reality of how television stations operate.

Music programs like "Music Bank" are fiercely contested battlegrounds for major entertainment agencies to promote their music.

Ratings and buzz are absolute KPIs.

Cindy is currently a very popular top idol.

Her appearance guarantees high viewership.

This means advertisers are paying attention.

This means the performance bonuses and future resource allocation for the entire production team.

That daring cutout at her waist and abdomen?
Non-compliant?
Zhuo Yizhen certainly knew it was against regulations.

But as long as the viewership curve representing Cindy's appearance on the ratings report can rise like a rocket.

As long as we can surpass the ratings of our rival show, Inkigayo, during the same period.

As long as we can shut the mouth of the Taiwan leader who keeps emphasizing "influence" and "market share"—

This "issue of scale" can be turned into a beautiful story of "appropriately relaxing standards for artistic expression".

This is the cruel and realistic closed loop in the survival chain of television stations.

Producers need top-tier celebrities to generate buzz.

Artists also need top-tier stages to maintain their exposure.

They appear to be interdependent.

But the real power often leans towards the popular artists who can bring peak viewership.

This is a delicate relationship of mutual dependence and mutual checks and balances.

It is precisely because Cindy dares to "confront" the PD that Zhuo Yizhen has to "coax" her.

"Crack!"

The director's voice rang out again.

This one also passed smoothly.

Bae Suzy's filming schedule for today has come to an end.

She did not choose to stay on set like she did with "Train to Busan".

Her assistant was already waiting nearby with her phone and schedule.

"See you tomorrow, Jae-hoon oppa~"

She smiled and waved to Kang Jae-hoon, who was preparing for his next scene.

"Well, be careful on the road."

Jiang Jae-hoon nodded.

She had to rush to participate in the final rounds of her group MISSA's "Farewell Song" music show performances.

Just like Cindy's dazzling stage outfit in the script, which had a fleeting burning sensation.

In reality.

This is a phase that belongs to idol Bae Suzy.

It is also rapidly approaching its end.

Bae Suzy left.

The film set is constantly in operation.

The storyline continues to unfold with a misunderstanding involving a text message exchange between Tak Ye-jin (played by Gong Hyo-jin) and Baek Seung-chan (played by Kang Jae-hoon) over a minor "car door collision".

The comedic elements are cleverly designed through layers of misalignment, where the two parties are unaware of each other's identities, probe each other's identities via text messages, and then try to shift blame onto one another.

It wasn't until after 11 p.m.

This "confrontation scene" full of misunderstandings and coincidences was finally "cut" after the director repeatedly polished the comedic rhythm.

The lights on set were turned off one by one.

The bustling photo studio quickly fell into a spacious, weary, and quiet atmosphere.

Kang Jae-hoon went into the dressing room and changed out of the suit that looked like a torture device.

My fingertips touched the inner lining pocket.

The white frosted envelope from Lim Yoona was carefully pulled out.

The envelope was slightly warm from being held close to my body all day.

He ran his fingertips along the smooth paper before carefully placing it into the inner pocket of his backpack.

……

Back at the familiar five-story apartment building in Seongsudong.

look up.

The window on the fifth floor was completely dark.

Lee Sung-kyung should already be asleep.

He quietly went upstairs.

The key turns.

The door opens.

The motion-sensor light in the entryway automatically turned on with a dim, yellowish glow.

The living room was silent.

Only the power indicator light of the thermos on the dining table emitted a faint red glow in the darkness.

Kang Jae-hoon put down his backpack.

Walk over there quietly.

Open the lid of the insulated pot.

A gentle fragrance immediately filled the air.

—It's ginseng chicken soup.

It was stewed to perfection.

The chicken is tender and falls off the bone.

The glutinous rice absorbed the broth perfectly.

The thermos is heated to just the right temperature.

He picked up the soup spoon next to him.

Scoop up a spoonful.

He blew on it.

Put it in your mouth.

The warm soup slid down my throat.

It dispelled the chill of the late night and the fatigue accumulated from filming.

He quietly finished the small bowl.

Wash the bowls and spoons.

Dry it.

Put it back in its original place.

Then he picked up his backpack and went into his room.

The door closed softly.

Sit at the desk.

The headlights were not on.

Only one small desk lamp was turned on.

The warm yellow light only illuminated a small area of ​​the desktop.

He took out the pure white letter from the inner pocket of his backpack.

Carefully, tear open the seal little by little.

He pulled out the neatly folded letter paper from inside.

Unfold.

On the elegant off-white stationery was Yoona's delicate handwriting, which had a unique, slender quality.

To Jae-hoon:

I hope you are well.

As I pick up my pen, the night outside my window in Hengdian is quiet. A few lights from the film crew are still on, like scattered stars. Everything is fine here; filming for "God of War Zhao Yun" is proceeding smoothly. Although it's tough, it's a unique experience.

Spring comes earlier in Hengdian than in Seoul, and sometimes I miss the aroma wafting from the bakery downstairs in the morning.

Calculate the time.

By the time you open this letter, "The Producers" should already be in production, right?
How does it feel to have a new role and a new environment?

I heard you're playing a rather "special" newcomer this time? I can already picture you running around the KBS building, looking completely bewildered. (laughs) You'll definitely look adorable.

New attempts always come with challenges, but I know you can do it.

Are you tired on set? Do you like the boxed lunches?

Seoul is experiencing a cold snap these past few days, with chilly mornings and evenings, so remember to wear warm clothes.

Sometimes when I get back to the hotel after work and look at the unfamiliar lights outside the window, I can't help but wonder, are the lights on the film sets in Seoul this bright too? Are you so engrossed in your work in front of the camera that you forget to rest?
During breaks in filming, some behind-the-scenes photos can be seen.

Even just a blurry profile gives you a sense of... well, a feeling of peace. It's as if you can feel that focused power even from this distance.

Jaehoon.

take care of yourself.

Eat on time.

Get a good night's sleep.

Don't push yourself too hard.

Looking forward to seeing a brand new you on screen.

I also look forward to... finishing filming here soon, returning to Seoul with its familiar aroma of bread, so I can sit down and listen to you tell me about your experiences on set.

May the spring breeze in Seoul caress you more gently than it does here.

允儿
In China·Hengdian

春夜
……

The lamplight gently enveloped the letter.

Jiang Zai Xun could almost see her in her hotel room in Hengdian, the strands of hair falling slightly as she wrote a letter at her desk, and her eyes with a gentle smile.

Fingertips traced the edge of the letter.

A strong impulse drove him.

Almost immediately.

He reached for his phone on the corner of the table.

The screen lights up.

The blinding white light displayed the time—00:47.

My finger hovered over the dial key and stopped.

Hengdian...

It must be late at night.

She was filming a period drama, doing wire work, horseback riding... you can imagine the intensity. At this hour, she's probably already fast asleep from exhaustion.

The impulse was forcibly suppressed by the silence of the night and reason.

He exhaled softly, turned off the phone screen, and put it back in its place.

Lower your head.

I looked once more at the letter in my hand that carried the weight of countless miles.

His gaze swept over each word again.

It's as if you can see through the back of the paper.

It allows us to feel the emotions of the letter writer at that time.

……

finally.

Kang Jae-hoon took a clean sheet of white paper out of the drawer.

Lay it under the lamp.

Pick up the pen.

It hovered above the paper for a few seconds.

It finally landed.

He wrote very slowly.

The handwriting is far less free and easy than before.

It seems that every stroke was carefully considered.

Two o'clock in the morning.

The room was plunged into complete darkness.

Only shallow, even breathing sounds rose and fell.

……

The morning light was just beginning to break in the apartment in Seongsudong.

As Kang Jae-hoon hurriedly bent down in the entryway to remove his shoe heel.

I could feel the gaze coming from the direction of the living room behind me—

Lee Sung-kyung sat cross-legged on the edge of the sofa cushion.

He was holding a tablet in his hands.

He was tracing something with his fingertips.

Perhaps it's the script they're going to film later?
Perhaps it's news from a fashion show?
She didn't look up.

But that feeling of being noticed was clearly imprinted on the skin of Kang Jae-hoon's neck.

"gone."

Kang Jae-hoon pushed open the door.

"Ah."

A muffled syllable came from the sofa.

The door closed gently.

The living room fell silent again.

Half an hour passed.

Lee Sung-kyung put down her tablet.

A rare break in the morning.

She put on rubber gloves and began her routine cleaning.

The hum of the vacuum cleaner echoed in the living room.

Wipe the furniture.

Clean the kitchen countertop.

At last.

She carried a bucket and a rag and stopped at the open doorway of Kang Jae-hoon's room.

This room was always much messier than her own.

The desk was scattered with an open script and several books on acting theory.

A T-shirt that had been taken off was draped over the back of the chair.

The morning breeze rushed in through the open window, brushed against the books on the table, turned the pages, and revealed the letter inserted inside.

Lee Sung-kyung, who was about to go in and take the clothes off the chair, paused.

My gaze involuntarily fell upon the letter.

A voice inside me warned: Don't go over there, that's not something you should see.

It can be done by hand.

But it had already slowly reached out.

(End of this chapter)