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

Chapter 166 Pranks VS. Strategy Class

The next day.

morning.

On the set of "The Producers".

Set design for the KBS Entertainment Bureau office area.

The slight friction of the track sliding, the hum of the motor raising and lowering the rocker arm, and the stable posture of the microphone boom precisely hovering above the performance area intertwine to create the busy prelude unique to the film set.

Kang Jae-hoon—or rather, Baek Seung-chan—stood in front of Tak Ye-jin, played by Gong Hyo-jin, with his bowl-cut bangs hanging down.

Zhuo Yizhen speaks at lightning speed, like a machine gun:
"Hey, bowl cut!"

"You must be thrilled that Cindy is wearing such beautiful clothes, right?"

"Do you consider yourself a spectator?!"

"it is good!"

"Didn't you just say Cindy's outfit was pretty? You said the same thing when you went to the Guangtong Committee—that outfit wasn't revealing at all! It was beautiful!"

"..."

Kang Jae-hoon, who plays Baek Seung-chan, hunched over slightly.

His hands were tightly clasped together in front of him.

Fingertips interlocking.

Occasionally, he would lift his eyelids and quickly glance at the furious PD Zhuo, his wet eyes like those of a puppy drenched in a downpour, filled with bewildered fear.

This is the scene that Bae Suzy saw when she first entered the film studio.

Although reason clearly told her that this was all an act.

But the visual impact of seeing him looking dejected and pitiful as he pinched his fingers in front of the monitor was too strong.

Especially those wet, somewhat helpless eyes that swept over me...

Bae Suzy felt as if her heart had been gently squeezed by an invisible hand.

It's sour and soft.

A strange, unspoken feeling of heartache washed over me without warning.

She even subconsciously wanted to go forward and hug him to comfort him.

fortunately.

The assistant promptly handed over some coffee from her own shop, stopping Bae Suzy from acting out.

She lowered her head and took a sip of coffee as a cover-up.

I suppressed the untimely ripples in my heart.

I couldn't help but laugh at myself.

Really...

If we put ourselves in the shoes of PD Tak Ye-jin...

Looking at this "workplace newbie" in front of me with his bowl haircut, clear but stupid eyes, and the kind of person who could make you so angry your liver hurts...

Bae Suzy had no doubt.

I might not be able to resist kicking him a couple of times to vent my anger.

after all.

If I had a subordinate like this in real life...

So torturous!
"Crack!"

The director's voice finally rang out.

The stern look of "anger at his lack of ambition" on Gong Hyo-jin's face vanished instantly. She glanced at Kang Jae-hoon, who was still completely immersed in his "cowardly" state, and couldn't help but mutter a complaint under her breath:
"This kid...how can he be so talented at playing these kinds of roles? It's making me angry..."

Not loud.

But Bae Suzy, who was close enough, heard it.

She almost burst out laughing.

Kang Jae-hoon seemed to have been released from his seal in an instant, raising his hand to try and brush away the annoying bangs, but then he remembered the stylist's warning halfway through and reluctantly put his hand down.

"Hyojin unnie, thank you for your hard work."

Bae Suzy handed him a takeaway paper cup at the right moment.

Fine water droplets condensed on the cup wall, and the cup sleeve was printed with the simple black word "Tint."

"Thank you, Cindy~"

Kong Hyo-jin accepted it without hesitation, and the cool touch made her sigh with comfort.

I glanced down at the shop name on the cup sleeve and casually complimented it:

"This coffee is great. The beans are fragrant and the milk foam is finely made. It's much better than the mass-produced coffee from chain stores."

Her words were genuine praise.

After all, a niche brand that can stand out in Seoul's highly competitive coffee market must have some serious skills.

"I bought it when I passed by Apgujeong. I'm glad you like it."

Bae Suzy smiled, her eyes crinkling.

They didn't mention that this was a store they had invested in.

At this time.

Kang Jae-hoon slowly walked past the two of them, intending to go to the monitor to watch the playback.

Kong Hyo-jin looked at his unsightly bowl-cut bangs and couldn't help but click her tongue twice.

Bae Suzy's eyes quickly swept over the coffee she had just taken a sip of.

—There was a faint cherry blossom pink imprint above the straw, the color of her lipstick.

She hardly hesitated.

He raised his arm.

He then handed the cup of coffee, which he had only taken a sip of, directly to Kang Jae-hoon.

"Here you go, Jae-hoon oppa. Try this, it's a special blend made by the manager."

Jiang Zaixun's mouth was dry.

I didn’t think much about it.

He thanked her and accepted the cup from Bae Suzy.

"Thank you, Cindy."

The rich coffee liquid, with just the right amount of acidity and bitterness, glides down your throat.

The finish has a rich, nutty and chocolatey aftertaste.

It tastes several levels better than the average coffee shop coffee.

Bae Suzy watched him drink his coffee without any suspicion, a secret smile playing on her lips. Only after he put down his cup did she seem to suddenly notice something, her fingertip touching the blurry lip print on the rim of the cup, her voice tinged with feigned panic:
"Oh dear! Jaehoon oppa, this... is what I just drank!"

Kang Jae-hoon paused, his hand holding the cup still.

My gaze fell on the faint cherry blossom-colored mark on the straw.

"..."

He almost reflexively wanted to hand the cup back immediately, but stopped abruptly when he raised his hand halfway through.

Return it...

Does that seem even stranger?
Kang Jae-hoon held the cup, pondered for two seconds, and said without changing his expression:
"No wonder it's so sweet."

He even took another sip.

"Eh?"

Bae Suzy's sly smile froze instantly.

Her beautiful big eyes blinked twice.

A little bit shy.

This reaction...

This was completely beyond what she had planned in the script!

She imagined Kang Jae-hoon to be like before, awkwardly touching the back of his neck, his eyes darting around, and perhaps even clumsily shoving the cup back into her hand.

result?

The person in front of me was calm and composed.

Did he even take another bite?
what is this?
The candor of a straight man?
still is……

Is it a silent, tacit acceptance of this "indirect contact" of intimacy?

The rational little person frantically pulled in one direction towards the first explanation.

But deep in some corner of my heart, a tiny, slightly elusive bubble of joy uncontrollably and stubbornly rises—leaning towards the second possibility.

But regardless of which one...

Bae Suzy's eyes sparkled, and she drew out her voice:

"Oh~"

"turn out to be……"

"Is Jae-hoon oppa deliberately trying to taste my lipstick?"

She not only pointed out the ambiguous fact of the "indirect kiss," but also revealed the truth.

They even accused it of being "deliberate".

Rake upside down.

All in one go.

"Pfft-cough cough cough!!!"

really.

Kang Jae-hoon's composure crumbled instantly.

The mouthful of coffee I had just swallowed suddenly choked me and went back into my trachea.

His entire face instantly turned bright red.

Tears even welled up in my eyes.

Seeing his disheveled appearance, Bae Suzy could no longer hide the smugness on her face after her prank. She quickly pulled out a tissue from her bag, patted his back, and reached out to wipe the coffee stains that had splattered on his chin.

however.

The moment my fingertips, coated with a soft tissue, touched his warm skin.

Bae Suzy paused almost imperceptibly.

—Kang Jae-hoon did not dodge.

Unlike a month ago on the set of "Train to Busan," he would instinctively take a half-step back like a frightened cat.

now.

He didn't even flinch.

docile...

Of course.

It felt like a feather was gently tickling my heart.

An indescribable sense of satisfaction, tinged with a subtle sweetness, quietly spread through me.

This can be considered a kind of...

acquiescence?

read this.

Bae Suzy smiled again, her eyes crinkling.

Even the force of patting his back became much gentler.

“Sooji-ssi…”

The voice of the production coordinator punctured this brief, rising bubble of ambiguity.

The two of them looked in the direction of the sound at the same time.

The coordinator walked over quickly, carrying a thick stack of notices:

"We're filming the office scene this afternoon, the one about the internal conflict within the group. Will your three group members be there on time?"

"Yes, I'll be there on time. PDnim has confirmed it."

Just moments ago, Bae Suzy was as lively as a cunning little fox, but now it seemed as if some kind of vibrant energy had been drained from her.

Despite maintaining a calm expression.

But the faint light deep in his eyes dimmed.

The coordinator nodded, made a mark on the notice, and turned to go about his other business.

The scene he came to confirm was to be filmed that afternoon. It involved the other three members of Cindy's group confronting her directly in front of the company representative because they were dissatisfied with Cindy's solo career and the severe imbalance of resources.

Art is said to originate from life.

The inspiration for this storyline, written by Park Ji-eun, came from the group Miss A, to which Bae Suzy belongs.

original.

MissA did not primarily promote Bae Suzy.

The turning point came with the huge success of "An Introduction to Architecture".

In addition, JYP Entertainment is facing a financial crisis due to the failure of Wonder Girls' expansion into the US market.

Under dual pressure.

The head of the group, Park Jin-young, began to fill Bae Suzy's schedule with almost frantic activity.

The title "Billion-Dollar Girl" was tailor-made for Bae Suzy during this period.

— This refers to the astonishing revenue she generated for the company exceeding 10 billion Korean won within a year.

(Later, Lee Hye-ri also achieved this success with "Sung Deok-sun").

Such a huge imbalance in resources.

This naturally ignited the pent-up discontent among the other members of the group.

And this scene.

It essentially presents the actual internal rifts within MISSA on the screen in the show.

at the same time.

Standing next to Bae Suzy, Kang Jae-hoon keenly noticed the heavy feeling that quickly faded from the depths of her eyes.

He was well aware of what this upcoming "play within a play" meant.

in fact.

After MISSA's comeback.

Dissolution and member termination are already a foregone conclusion.

Beneath the glitz and glamour of the stage.

There are far too many combinations torn apart by unequal resource allocation and divergent development paths.

One more MISSA.

It's just another inevitable ending segment on the K-POP assembly line.

Kang Jae-hoon did not press further.

There was no comfort offered.

She simply pointed to her bangs and said in a slightly complaining tone, as if trying to change the subject:
"I feel like this hairstyle is obstructing my vision."

Bae Suzy seemed to be pulled back to her senses by his clumsy "concern".

She looked up and her gaze fell on his forehead, which was mostly covered by his bangs.

The melancholy in his eyes seemed to have lessened slightly.

"It's fine to block it."

"Ok?"

"So you won't look at anything else."

Jiang Jae-hoon: “…”

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

in the afternoon.

shooting scene.

A meeting room temporarily set up by the KBS Drama Center.

When the camera panned across several faces that were both all too familiar and utterly unfamiliar.

Bae Suzy can hardly distinguish between the lines between acting and real life.

have to say.

Screenwriter Park Ji-eun's use of metafictional narrative techniques is amazing.

Let real members play themselves.

It's about expressing the genuine emotions that were suppressed, unspoken, or unleashed in the practice room, dormitory, or in the manager's car.

He rekindled and released his passion in front of the camera, facing Cindy, played by Bae Suzy.

In the fictional story of the characters in the drama.

To complete their farewell and accusations that they could not fully express in reality.

This reflexive performance was incredibly powerful.

She has no acting skills.

It's all genuine feelings.

"Crack!"

The director gave the order.

The camera stops rolling.

Bae Suzy remained in that reclining posture, her gaze fixed on her crossed knees.

Fei, Min, and Jia were also sitting, some looking down at their clothes to straighten the wrinkle-free hem, others staring blankly at a corner.

There was no attempt to ease the tension, not even the most perfunctory small talk.

There is only a kind of blandness and weariness that has settled down over a long period of time.

And a cold, suffocating barrier more so than any heated argument.

hard to imagine.

Last night on the music show stage, they wore the same outfits, kept the same rhythm, and gave the camera a formulaic smile.

now.

It's like looking through an invisible, thick pane of glass.

After a while.

The director's voice rang out again:
"Okay, thank you all for your hard work."

Almost the instant the director finished speaking.

Bae Suzy suddenly stood up from the sofa.

She didn't look at anyone.

Unlike usual, when filming ends, they didn't go to the director or staff to thank or exchange ideas.

Just keep your head down.

They rushed straight to the temporary artist dressing room.

Fei, Min, and Jia also stood up silently.

They each packed their own small bags.

They moved quickly and efficiently.

No communication.

No goodbye.

They were even stingy with exchanging glances.

The heart-wrenching, emotionally draining "farewell performance" just now seemed to have completely squeezed out the last shred of superficial connection between them that needed to be maintained.

……

Kang Jae-hoon took it all in.

I watched those three figures disappear around the corner of the corridor.

Turn around.

Heading towards the rest area.

I took an unopened bottle of chilled mineral water.

I thought about it.

Then he pulled out a long, thin, transparent straw from the small box next to him where straws were kept.

Tear off the packaging.

then.

Walk towards the door where Bae Suzy disappeared.

"Knock Knock-"

He tapped the door panel lightly with his knuckles twice.

There was no response from inside.

Kang Jae-hoon waited a few seconds.

Hold the door handle.

Pressing down tentatively—

The door is unlocked.

Push open a crack.

His gaze quickly swept over the small lounge.

At that moment, Bae Suzy stood silently in front of the mirror.

There was no redness or swelling around the eyes.

There were no tear stains on her cheeks.

Only his eyes and brows held an indescribable emptiness.

She seemed to be examining herself in the mirror, yet also seemed to see nothing at all.

Kang Jae-hoon did not ask any questions.

There was no attempt to interpret or comfort.

He simply walked silently to her side and handed her the bottle of ice water with a straw.

A fine layer of water droplets condensed on the cold walls of the mineral water bottle.

It flowed down Bae Suzy's fingers.

She lowered her head.

I took a small, slow sip through the straw.

"Sooji..."

"You don't need to comfort me."

Before she could finish speaking, she interrupted Kang Jae-hoon:
"I'm not as fragile as you think."

"Uh... well."

Kang Jae-hoon pointed to the bottle of water she was holding, or more precisely, to the tip of the transparent straw:
"Actually, what I wanted to say was about this straw... I just used it."

Of course he had never used it.

They were just making conversation out of nothing.

"Oh."

Bae Suzy responded, then lowered her head, put the straw in her mouth, and took another sip of ice water in a very natural manner.
"I don't care."

His tone was flippant.

It's unclear whether they're saying they don't care about indirect kissing.

Still don't care...

That group that was just completely torn apart in front of the camera and is now practically defunct.

Jiang Jae-hoon was speechless.

It's not that he doesn't know how to comfort people.

After the 930 incident, Kang Jae-hoon's "mountain climbing theory" for guiding Lim Yoon-ah seemed to have a decent effect...

But what's in front of me...

The saying goes, "Don't advise others to do good if you haven't experienced their suffering."

The internal conflicts within the group, the rifts caused by unequal resource allocation, and the harsh labels from the outside world of "Bae Suzy and her backup dancers"...

These are weighty matters; for an outsider like him to say anything would seem like scratching an itch through a boot, or even stepping on a landmine.

Forget it.

The more you say, the more mistakes you make.

then.

Kang Jae-hoon silently took a few steps and sat down on the slightly worn fabric sofa in the lounge.

I didn't use my phone.

I wasn't distracted.

My gaze fell on the unidentified oil painting reproduction hanging on the opposite wall.

Body posture, however, is a clear and stable presence.

A silent companionship that says, "I'm here when you need me, and if you don't, just ignore me."

I do not know how long it has been.

Maybe a few minutes.

Perhaps longer.

Just as Kang Jae-hoon was feeling a bit tired from sitting and was considering whether to change his posture.

"ah!"

Bae Suzy suddenly turned her head:

"You didn't come here to comfort me?!"

Kang Jae-hoon: "...???"

Bae Suzy looked at his bewildered expression and suddenly burst out laughing.

The heaviness and emptiness in his eyes just now seemed to have been dispelled by this laughter.

Just kidding!

"Thank you."

Her voice became much clearer.

Kang Jae-hoon paused for a second, then his shoulders relaxed, and he shook his head:
"No need to thank me, I didn't do anything."

Bae Suzy took two steps forward and sat down beside him:
"You're enough here."

The words have not yet fallen.

She did not hesitate at all—

She nestled into Kang Jae-hoon's arms.

It's not a weak, timid search for comfort; it's more like a forceful and decisive "occupation."

It's like finding a safe haven.

Let your guard down.

The weight and warmth belonging to Bae Suzy were handed over without any refusal.

The sweet, rich fragrance emanating from her, like freshly peeled lychees in a summer orchard, instantly overwhelmed and forcefully filled Kang Jae-hoon's nostrils and embrace.

The warm, soft touch pressed against my chest.

The pleasant aroma made Kang Jae-hoon's breath catch in his throat slightly.

Not right.

Something is very wrong!

Was the water I just handed out and the silent companionship considered comfort?
It seems like it counts.

But I always felt that this hug came a little...

Logically speaking?

Can't figure it out.

Kang Jae-hoon felt as if the lines of logic in his mind were a tangled ball of yarn stirred up by a calico cat.

What a mess.

Forget it...

Kang Jae-hoon sighed inwardly.

The warmth in my arms felt so real.

Her hair brushed against his neck, creating a slightly itchy sensation.

Since we can't figure out what she's up to...

Then...

Let's leave it at that for now.

He seemed to resign himself to accepting this "sugar-coated bullet".

The large hand that had been resting neatly on the sofa armrest seemed to hesitate for a fraction of a second. In the end, it gently, with a hint of soothing, covered Bae Suzy's soft hair.

Warmth in the palm.

His fingertips moved lightly, slowly sliding down her soft hair.

Bae Suzy nestled in his arms, breathing in his clean scent, a secret smile playing on her lips.

The fluorescent lights in the film set's dressing room seemed to soften as well.

however.

This quiet did not last long.

The door to the lounge clicked softly.

The door was pushed open from the outside without warning.

Kim Dae-won's head popped in:

"Hey, what's wrong with you...?"

His booming voice rang out the instant he saw the scene inside the room—

On the sofa, Kang Jae-hoon was embracing a girl, with one hand on her head, in an extremely intimate pose.

That girl...

It was Bae Suzy.

The shocking scene made him choke on the second half of his sentence, "So slow," turning it into a short, sharp "Ugh!" as if he'd choked on his saliva.

A complex mix of emotions flashed across his face, a mixture of shock, realization, disappointment, and a sense of "you've really made something of yourself, kid," but something still felt off.

immediately.

Jin Dayuan coughed twice, cleared his throat, and forcibly switched his expression to a businesslike manner:

"Um... the director is waiting! Hurry up!"

Done.

His head, which had poked its way in, suddenly shrank back in.

The door was slammed shut again.

"..."

Bae Suzy looked at Kang Jae-hoon's expression, which seemed to be both petrified and about to crack.

With a "poof" sound.

She laughed again and fell into his arms.

Jiang Zai Xun looked down at the "culprit" laughing hysterically in his arms. The embarrassment of being caught by Kim Dae Won just now instantly turned into an impulse of "furious anger".

—He raised his hand and pinched Bae Suzy's pink cheeks.

"hiss--"

Bae Suzy immediately took an exaggerated breath.

Those beautiful big eyes, however, were bright and sparkling, showing no sign of anger.

Instead, taking advantage of his gesture of pinching her cheek, she suddenly stuck out her tongue at him.

"..."

Kang Jae-hoon's fingers, which were pinching her cheek, froze instantly.

It wasn't because I was captivated by her adorable appearance.

Instead, she realized that her action...

This ruthless "punishment"...

It seems that they have crossed the line from ordinary colleagues to even friends.

That's too...intimate.

He could clearly feel the delicate texture of the skin beneath his fingertips and its slight elasticity.

But the next second—

A near-desperate thought inexplicably surfaced:
I've tasted everything on the rim of the cup...

I've truly felt the warmth of your embrace...

that……

Now let's pinch a cheek...

like……

...It's nothing...right?

Once the bottom line is breached, it seems to automatically recede a little.

"Still laughing?"

Kang Jae-hoon put on a stern face, trying to regain some ground.

"Humph~"

Bae Suzy was not to be outdone. She stood up, tidied her messy hair in front of the mirror, and regained her radiant appearance.

"Let's go, the director is waiting."

She walked towards the door first.

Jiang Zaixun watched her retreating figure, shook his head helplessly, and got up to follow her out.

……

The KBS building finally fell silent late at night.

Kang Jae-hoon dragged his heavy legs out of the revolving door.

A cold wind swirled fine dust and splattered against my face.

The thick bangs on her forehead swayed slightly in the wind.

He raised his hand and pressed it down.

Jin Dayuan's familiar van, like a silent behemoth, sat in the shadows by the roadside.

The taillights shone with two dark red dots in the night.

Kang Jae-hoon opened the car door and got in.

He leaned heavily against the back of the chair.

"Back to Holy Water Cave?"

"Do not."

Kang Jae-hoon closed his eyes.

I gave them an address and then looked down at my phone to confirm the information.

"What...is this address?"

“Sunny’s house.”

"Sunny?"

Jin Dayuan twisted half of his body.

A suspicious gaze met Kang Jae-hoon's tired eyes in the rearview mirror:
"Sunny from Girls' Generation?"

"Ah."

"..."

Jin Dayuan remained silent for a few seconds, as if processing the information, before finally unable to hold back and asking:
"When...when did you get together with her..."

The rest of the sentence was not finished.

But the subtext is obvious.

"It's not what you think, brother. It's just that I asked her to help deliver a letter."

"letter?"

Jin Dayuan was even more confused:

"What letter?"

"A reply to Yoona."

Kang Jae-hoon's words were concise and to the point.

I told them about writing the letter in the early morning and receiving the handwritten letter from Lim Yoona yesterday.

Normally, one should not bother two different people with the same matter.

However, Kang Jae-hoon did not have Kim Tae-yeon's contact information and did not know the specific address of the filming location for Im Yoon-ah.

and so……

We can only trouble Lee Soon-kyu, who Yoona said is "very free".

After hearing this, Jin Dayuan's expression became somewhat complicated.

A moment of silence fell over the car.

He glanced at his artist again through the rearview mirror.

Young, handsome, and on the rise.

In this world of fame and fortune, surrounded by so many outstanding and dazzling girls, it seems... normal to have some entanglements?

He had seen similar things many times in the industry.

Which of those award-winning actors from Chungmuro ​​didn't have some romantic escapades in their youth?
He's handsome and talented, so many girls are drawn to him, and he's also attracted to quite a few.

If we really want to discuss it...

Jin Dayuan silently weighed the options in his mind.

If it were him at that age, in that position, and looking...

I'm afraid they might not be able to control it very well.

They might even go further and further.

The thought came to mind.

Those words of advice that were on the tip of my tongue—such as “be mindful of the consequences,” “distinguish between primary and secondary matters,” and “don’t play with fire”—were a little hard to say.

It seems both outdated and hypocritical.

It's also a bit like talking without understanding the situation.

finally.

Jin Dayuan still didn't say anything.

Just a "huh" sound.

It means "I understand".

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

On the set of "Queen's Flower".

The studio was brightly lit.

The air conditioner was blowing loudly.

Lee Sung-kyung was going through a major emotional outburst at the time.

The dialogue was supposed to be powerful, filled with pain and pleading.

But her eyes always seemed to wander unconsciously.

The camera panned across her eyes.

The director, with a furrowed brow, shouted "Cut!"

"The Bible, your emotions are wrong! Anger must be suppressed by sadness, not emptiness! Let's try again!"

"...I'm sorry, Director."

Lee Sung-kyung quickly bowed and apologized, adjusting her breathing as she tried to banish the blank white letter and its words from her mind.

NG.

Another NG (no good)

Repeated three times.

This scene barely passed.

The assistant director came over worriedly to ask:

“Bible-xi, are you feeling unwell? You don’t look well.”

"No, I'm probably just a little tired. I'll be fine after a short rest."

Lee Sung-kyung forced a smile to cover it up.

She knew she was acting strangely.

That letter.

Like a pebble thrown into a calm lake.

Ripples spread outwards in concentric circles.

It disturbed her peace of mind.

After finishing work.

In the nanny's car.

The city's neon lights stretched out like flowing ribbons of light outside the car window.

Lee Sung-kyung held her phone.

Looking at the contact person named "Lee Jong-suk Oppa".

My finger hovered over the [Call] button several times.

finally.

As if she had finally made up her mind, she pressed down hard.

The receiver played a long, drawn-out tone of waiting.

Then--

"Sorry, the number you dialed is temporarily unavailable..."

A cold, electronic female voice came through the receiver.

Lee Sung-kyung was stunned.

Then I remembered that I seemed to have mentioned in a casual chat a few days ago that Lee Jong-suk had an overseas trip these days.

Her gaze swept across her phone's contacts.

Another name caught my eye—Lee Kwang-soo.

Without much hesitation.

Lee Sung-kyung pressed the call button again.

This time, the call connected very quickly.

"Hello? The Bible?"

Lee Kwang-soo's cheerful voice came from the other side.

The background noise sounds like someone watching TV indoors.

"Kwangsoo oppa, it's me. Are you... able to talk now?"

Lee Kwang-soo, on the other end of the phone, noticed the unusual quality in her voice.

The laughter subsided.

The background noise also seems to have disappeared.

"Yes, you can tell me. It's convenient for me to be alone now."

The next ten minutes.

Lee Sung-kyung gave a rough account of the matter, almost incoherently.

She didn't say directly, "I like Kang Jae-hoon."

But every word and sentence points to that core idea—

Someone had left a deep and terrifying mark on the heart of someone she cared about deeply, in an extremely clever way.

After she finished speaking, Lee Kwang-soo let out a long, meaningful sigh.

He grasped the crux of the matter instantly.

What could possibly make someone like Lee Sung-kyung, who usually acts nonchalant even when her heart is churning, and even has a somewhat awkward and arrogant personality, take the initiative to call him, a senior colleague who isn't exactly her closest friend, for help?

This in itself shows that the problem is so serious that she is starting to lose her composure.

She was really anxious.

"Okay, let's meet at a cafe in Itaewon."

"it is good."

The cafe in Itaewon refers to the filming location of "It's Okay, That's Love," and it's also the cafe that Jo In-seong opened for his younger brother.

……

Forty minutes later.

The two met at a coffee shop.

"It seems our Bible is really in a panic."

"Who's panicking?!"

Lee Sung-kyung immediately retorted:

"I'm just... I'm just getting annoyed! One after another, it never ends!"

"One or two?"

Lee Kwang-soo keenly caught the key words, raised his eyebrows slightly, and pretended to listen attentively.

Lee Sung-kyung: “…”

She regretted the words as soon as they left her mouth.

Yes.

—Jung Soo-jung.

Jung Soo-jung, who was incredibly sweet with Kang Jae-hoon in "The Heirs" and even had a rumored romance with him.

Lee Sung-kyung already knew.

But she chose to turn a blind eye and pretend not to hear.

Through the habit of living under the same roof day after day, through silent yet omnipresent care, through this most ordinary yet most solid "daily routine," she patiently wove a net into his life, little by little.

She built a fortress called "habit" and "belonging".

She stubbornly, even somewhat obsessively, firmly believed—

Time will be on her side.

Like Krystal Jung, who exudes youthful energy and brings fresh excitement and a strong heartbeat, what kind of "heart-fluttering" feeling?
No matter how dazzling it is, it's still just fireworks.

fleeting.

Ultimately, nothing could compare to the "daily life" she built brick by brick, imbued with the warmth of human connection.

It turns out.

Her fortress seemed very sturdy.

Krystal Jung's star power has indeed never shaken Kang Jae-hoon's frequency of adding an extra bowl and chopsticks to her family's dining table.

Time seems to have truly favored her.

but.

Lim Yoon-a is different.

That plain white letter from faraway China.

Each neat handwriting is like a silent vine.

With a gentle yet resilient strength, it gently and precisely wrapped around the outer walls of the fortress she had meticulously constructed.

If she remains steadfast and maintains her "wait and see" attitude, just like she did with Krystal Jung...

She had an extremely strong premonition—

Yoona's gentle trap won't be as fleeting as fireworks.

It will be like spring rain, nourishing silently, yet gradually eroding and softening her fortress.

Kang Jae-hoon's heart, within what she thought was an impregnable daily routine, would gradually lead her into that gentle trap.

This understanding.

That's the root cause of her complete loss of composure today, and even her initiative to ask Lee Kwang-soo for help.

Lee Kwang-soo looked at the complex expression she concealed with her lowered eyelashes.

They wisely refrained from pressing for details about who the "one or two" were.

He stopped making jokes.

He put away that slightly amused smile:

"Love is... sometimes, it's like a war. You can't just stand on your ground and passively take the hits."

to be frank.

In Lee Kwang-soo's view.

Lee Sung-kyung has an absurdly large advantage in this emotional battle.

Habits that have long been integrated into each other's lives.

Both parents tacitly approved.

And Kang Jae-hoon is clearly also deeply involved...

Want to lose?

That's pretty difficult!
"Don't just keep it to yourself, tell me what you want to do? Let me hear your thoughts, and then we can discuss it further."

Lee Sung-kyung hesitated for a moment.

He pursed his lips.

After what seemed like a few seconds of internal struggle, he spoke tentatively and uncertainly:
"Then... I'll get a puppy?"

"..."

Lee Kwang-soo's expression froze instantly.

His eyes were filled with shock and speechlessness as he looked at Lee Sung-kyung, as if to say, "Where on Mars did you get this line of thinking from?"

Owning a dog?
Using pets to create bonds?
"Ouch..."

He now understands why Lee Sung-kyung's seemingly insurmountable battle has become precarious, and how she might even lose.

What a strategic genius!
Copying the opponent's approach?
Do you really expect to defeat your opponent using the weapons they are good at?
...This is unbelievable!

"no?"

Lee Sung-kyung was a little out of breath by his reaction:
"What can I do? I can't... I can't write a letter too!"

"...What kind of letter are you writing? 'My cooking is much better than her handwritten letters'?"

Lee Sung-kyung: “…”

She angrily poked at the pitiful amount of cream foam in the cup with the straw.

Lee Kwang-soo is right.

That's an incredibly stupid idea.

Watching Lee Sung-kyung almost poking a hole in her coffee cup.

Lee Kwang-soo then stopped teasing and said seriously:
Do you remember the Ice Bucket Challenge?

As a variety show personality, Lee Kwang-soo's ability to stay up-to-date with the latest trending topics is a fundamental skill, as it's essential for him to accurately hit the audience's funny bone.

Lee Sung-kyung looked at him, puzzled, and nodded.

Of course she remembered.

That was another nickname for Kang Jae-hoon: "Fire Extinguisher Master," following his previous nicknames "Lady Bro" and "God of the Toilet Plunger."

"Do you remember when Yoona called out Kang Jae-hoon's name?"

Before Lee Sung-kyung could answer.

He then asked and answered himself with unwavering certainty:
"—It was after Senior Hwang Jung-min specifically mentioned your name!"

"Snapped!"

Lee Kwang-soo excitedly snapped his fingers:
"Here comes the point!"

Why did she suddenly choose Kang Jae-hoon?

"Because—she saw Hwang Jung-min select you! She panicked!"

What does Hwang Jung-min mean to Kang Jae-hoon?

"That's a talent scout! A mentor! A guide! A father figure!"

Lee Kwang-soo tapped the table hard with his index finger, making a soft tapping sound:
"No matter how gentle or good at writing letters Lim Yoona is, can she easily break into this industry? Can she, like you, go to Hwang Jung-min's house for a meal anytime, or chat and go shopping with President Kim Mi-hye?"

He stared at Lee Sung-kyung, each word crystal clear:

"Your trump card isn't how many letters you write or how many dogs you keep!"

"It's Mr. and Mrs. Hwang Jung-min!"

Lee Kwang-soo leaned back and spread his hands out:

"Be more proactive! Visit Huang Zhengmin's home more often. Chat with his wife about fashion, give her some advice on outfits, or simply accompany her for tea and shopping."

"This sense of belonging and connection rooted in 'family' is a barrier that even if Yoona's letter, which traveled across the ocean, were ten times gentler, it couldn't break down!"

"..."

"what!"

Lee Sung-kyung let out a short, low sigh of realization.

The pent-up frustration and vague panic in her chest were washed away by a sense of clarity, like the sun breaking through the clouds.

yes……

Teacher Huang Zhengmin...

Master's wife...

The couple who held an almost sacred place in Kang Jae-hoon's heart.

How come she never thought of that?
She obviously...

I was introduced to it before.

She had clearly made an impression on Hwang Jung-min and his wife long ago.

She actually bypassed this long-standing and most reliable "shortcut" herself?
"understood?"

Lee Kwang-soo looked at her instantly brightened expression and gave her a "you're teachable" smile.

"Ok!"

Lee Sung-kyung nodded vigorously.

That bit of pride and awkwardness was completely suppressed, leaving only a determined eagerness to try.

"This is right!"

Lee Kwang-soo picked up his coffee cup and made a clinking gesture with her:
"Our tactics are clear, and we have the advantage! Stay calm, we can win!"

Lee Sung-kyung finally showed her first truly relaxed smile of the day, picked up her glass, and clinked it heavily with his:
"Thanks, Kwangsoo oppa!"

"You're too kind! If things work out, just treat me to a nice meal!" Lee Kwang-soo grinned from ear to ear.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

That night.

Seongsu-dong Apartment.

Lee Sung-kyung leaned against the headboard, picked up her phone, and found the name on Kakao—Kim Mi-hye, the teacher's wife.

Click on the chat box.

Fingers tapped rapidly and firmly on the screen:

Good evening, madam. Sorry to bother you. I've been helping a friend look at some emerging designers' fall/winter portfolios lately, and I feel a few styles really suit your taste! Would you be willing to take a look when you have some free time? Would you be available these afternoons?

The message is sent.

She gently placed her phone beside her pillow.

My gaze is fixed on the moon outside the window.

The moonlight filtered through the gauze curtains, softly outlining her clearly defined profile.

His eyes were no longer as unfocused and brooding as they had been during the day.

Rather, it is a calm and steadfast state that has settled down, with a clear goal in mind.

……

The next day.

early morning.

KBS (Korean Broadcasting System)

The corridor on the floor where the crew of "The Producers" was located.

The early morning hustle and bustle was already beginning to emerge.

The sound of the prop cart rolling across the ground.

The greetings from the members of each group.

Mixed in the fresh air.

Kang Jae-hoon's face still showed a slight weariness from waking up early.

Carrying an iced Americano from Tint. that his manager, Kim Dae-won, had "on the way" bought, he was heading towards the dressing room, ending the brief "freedom" of his bangs.

My phone suddenly vibrated in my pocket.

The steps paused.

Take out your phone.

The name that popped up on the screen surprised Jiang Zai Xun—[Teacher].

(End of this chapter)