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

Chapter 169 Kang Jae-hoon's Survival Guide at the Dining Table
Cheongdam-dong.

Galleria department store.

third floor.

Kim Mi-hye's fingers traced the fabric of a finely crafted grey-blue cashmere shawl as she smiled at Lee Sung-kyung beside her:
"How about this color for the Bible? Isn't it too dark?"

“Master’s wife, this gray-blue color really suits your skin tone.”

Lee Sung-kyung took a closer look and then picked up a similar light milk tea-colored item next to her for comparison:
“This one is softer… but if you wear gray-blue, your aura will be stronger, like… um… a CFO who controls the earnings call.”

Kim Mi-hye was amused by her:
"CFO? Ha, now they're just managing their own company's finances."

"She's the best teacher's wife too~"

Lee Sung-kyung blinked and affectionately took Kim Mi-hye's arm.

Just now.

"Di."

A Kakao message notification sound came from Lee Sung-kyung's handbag.

She let go of his hand and took out her phone.

The screen lights up.

"……Um?"

Kim Mi-hye noticed Lee Sung-kyung's momentary lapse in concentration and asked:

"what happened?"

"It's nothing, Hyojin unnie was just sharing some fun stories from the set with me."

Lee Sung-kyung quickly regained her composure, turned off her phone screen, and a relaxed smile returned to her face.
"By the way, Master's wife, how about we go out for Chinese food tonight?"

"Chinese food?"

Kim Mi-hye raised an eyebrow in surprise, then readily nodded:
"Fine, whatever you say. But tonight your master's wife is treating, so don't try to pay the bill again, understand?"

"Okay, I got it!"

Lee Sung-kyung responded sweetly.

……

Kim Mi-hye's strong preference for Lee Sung-kyung is certainly partly due to her affection for Lee Sung-kyung—

Hwang Jung-min's affection for his apprentice Kang Jae-hoon is almost like that of a father to his son. As an important (though not officially recognized) person by Jae-hoon's side, Lee Sung-kyung naturally feels closer to him.

But at a deeper level.

She really needs the companionship of a caring and considerate woman.

Kim Mi-hye was never a traditional "good wife" who depended on her husband.

She is a true strong woman.

Initially, Hwang Jung-min established his own studio to make it easier for him to choose roles independently.

In just a few short years.

Under her strategic planning.

He then successfully transformed the studio into a cultural industry company that now operates in three parallel sectors: film and television investment, artist management, and drama club.

then.

Furthermore, Hwang Jung-min decisively invested the large sums of money he earned during his career boom in recent years into high-end real estate acquisitions in prime business districts and Series B funding for promising biotech startups—areas with high barriers to entry and high returns.

This keen market sense and outstanding execution ability.

This allowed her to multiply the family's wealth exponentially.

however.

His career is thriving.

Emotionally...

Hwang Jung-min is currently at the peak of his career.

His schedule is packed with acting offers, one after another.

Traveling all over the country and even abroad, it's common for me to be away from home for months at a time.

My son, Yu, has just started elementary school.

They have their own little world now and no longer cling to their mothers as they did in early childhood.

Faced with a sudden surge of emotional space and a void in the rhythm of life...

Lee Sung-kyung's appearance filled a subtle void in Kim Mi-hye's life. This warm, sincere, yet respectful companionship was exactly the kind of comfort Kim Mi-hye, who had been busy for half her life, craved most at that moment.

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.

The lights on set gradually went out.

The hustle and bustle of the day settles into the busy closing.

Kang Jae-hoon rushed into the dressing room almost at the last minute and quickly stripped off the costume that had been sealing him in for the entire day.

I had just changed into my casual clothes and stepped out the door.

"Zai Xun?"

Gong Hyo-jin's voice came from behind her. She was leaning against the door frame, leisurely flipping through the script in her hands.

"Hyojin noona? She hasn't left yet?"

Kang Jae-hoon stopped in his tracks.

"Oh, I'm watching the next few scenes with you, figuring out the rhythm."

Gong Hyo-jin naturally took a few steps closer, handed the script to Kang Jae-hoon, and pointed to a certain spot:

"Look here..."

Kang Jae-hoon could only take the script and obediently look down at it.

Gong Hyo-jin's gaze swept over his changed clothes, seemingly unintentionally:

"busy?"

"...I have a dinner appointment."

"where?"

Kang Jae-hoon was eager to escape and just wanted to end the conversation as soon as possible:
"That Dongheunglou fusion restaurant in Cheongdam-dong."

"what……"

Gong Hyo-jin immediately withdrew the script:
"Then you should go quickly. We can talk about this scene later."

Kang Jae-hoon breathed a sigh of relief.

He nodded.

He quickly turned around and strode away.

Kong Hyo-jin watched his figure disappear into the passage.

Take out your phone.

Fingers flew across the screen:

[Dongheung-ro Fusion Restaurant, Cheongdam-dong.]

"Hyojin hasn't left yet?"

Just as she clicked send, she heard Cha Tae-hyun's voice behind her.

"senior."

Gong Hyo-jin turned her head with a smile:

"Want to grab some Chinese food together?"

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.

Dongxinglou Fusion Restaurant.

Inside the VIP box.

Lim Yoona sat alone by the window.

Her meticulously applied makeup was reflected in the shimmering glass.

The eyeliner accentuates the innocent and pure look of doe eyes, while the lipstick chosen is a gentle mauve color that brightens the complexion without being too flashy.

A flowing beige silk shirt paired with crisp ivory wide-leg suit trousers.

He wore a low-key Cartier Tank Solo steel watch on his wrist.

It exudes a unique charm that is both intellectual and gentle.

Yoona gazed calmly at the tea leaves unfurling in her cup.

Wait patiently.

Tuk-tuk-tuk——

There was a gentle knock on the door.

"Please come in."

The door to the private room was pushed open by a waiter.

"Miss Pei has arrived."

The waiter stepped aside.

Bae Suzy appeared at the doorway.

She clearly rushed home to get ready as soon as she finished work.

—The delicate base makeup perfectly outlines the youthful skin's radiant glow. A light touch of apricot blush on the cheeks, and a glossy coral pink for the lips.

Her real cunning lay in her clothing—

A minimalist cream-white fitted knit crop top. The neckline is cleverly designed with a slightly asymmetrical off-the-shoulder style, revealing a section of smooth, delicate skin on the left shoulder and the delicate lines of the collarbone.

She paired it with a pair of light blue high-waisted straight-leg jeans.

The waistline is accentuated by the high-waisted design and tight-fitting knitwear, making it appear incredibly slender.

She exudes a sweet, casual, and slightly sexy "pure and alluring" vibe.

"Yoona-senpai."

Bae Suzy greeted her with a sweet smile and a slight bow.

Their etiquette was impeccable.

"Suzy's here, please have a seat."

Yoona maintained a perfect smile, her chin slightly raised, indicating the position opposite her.

Bae Suzy sat down in the chair opposite Lim Yoona as instructed.

A rectangular dining table for four.

The two were separated by an exquisite celadon tea set on the table.

This creates a delicate boundary between Chu and Han.

A waiter stepped forward and poured hot tea into the empty cup in front of Bae Soo-ji.

The pale golden tea soup was steaming.

Of course.

Bae Suzy only glanced at it and didn't move.

Clearly, he's not a fan of tea.

Yoona's gaze fell on Bae Suzy's bare left shoulder, then she picked up her teacup, gently blew away the foam, and gracefully took a small sip.

"Have some hot tea to warm yourself up."

"Even though it's May, it's still cool in the mornings and evenings."

A night in mid-May.

The temperature is pleasant.

Bae Suzy looks refreshing yet slightly sexy in this outfit.

It's the most popular OOTD in Seoul this season.

therefore.

The implication here is that Lim Yoona is subtly implying that she dressed too "schemingly" and deliberately showed off.

Bae Soo-ji heard it all clearly.

Far from showing displeasure, his expression did not betray him.

Instead, she leaned slightly forward, her arms naturally crossed on the edge of the table, and the tight-fitting cream-white knitwear accentuated her youthful and full bust even more clearly.

"Thank you for your concern, senior~"

"but……"

Bae Suzy paused deliberately.

His gaze swept briefly and meaningfully across the collar of Yoona's elegant yet slightly "neat" silk shirt.

"Youth is the greatest asset."

"With this innate advantage, I can easily handle being a little willful."

—What does "capital" refer to?
—What does the so-called "capital" imply?
—It goes without saying!

A young, voluptuous figure vs. a slender, flat figure.

The rim of the teacup.

Im Yoona's fingers, which were holding the teacup and resting steadily on the rim, tensed up instantly.

The rising steam blurred her momentarily frozen outline.

Even though she was often teased by her fellow members, these words came out beautifully from Bae Suzy's smiling face and witty words.

That's blatant humiliation!
Im Yoon-a lowered her long eyelashes.

He used the act of drinking tea to conceal the turbulent emotions surging in his eyes and the urge to throw hot tea in the other person's face.

A few seconds later.

She slowly put down her teacup.

When I looked up again...

Her clean and clear face was now calm and serene.

She looked sincerely (at least on the surface) at Bae Suzy's young, radiant, and collagen-rich face, and the corners of her lips curved into a smile:
"Yeah, it's great to be young."

"I sincerely hope that my sister will bloom beautifully for a hundred days, stay young forever, and have lasting beauty."

These words sound like a truly sincere blessing.

however.

The saying goes, when God closes a door, he opens a window.

Yoona's "fatal flaw" is her figure.

Bae Suzy's "fatal flaw" is her lack of education.

Yoona's phrase "flowers bloom for a hundred days" contains an extremely elegant metaphor that Bae Suzy would never have imagined—

No matter how beautifully flowers bloom, they will eventually wither.

How long can "beauty" without sufficient substance remain popular?
Bae Suzy clearly didn't grasp the deeper meaning.

She only caught the sugary coating of Yoona's words—"praising her youth and beauty." Her smile instantly brightened, as if she had won a victory.
"Thank you for your kind words, Yoon-ah unnie!"

Yoona looked at her, who seemed completely oblivious to the implied meaning and yet readily accepted the "blessing."

The last bit of anger stirred up by "Das Kapital" was strangely replaced by a subtle emotion mixed with a sense of superiority and pity.

at this time.

"Boom boom boom——"

A gentle knock on the door broke the silent undercurrent between the two women in the private room.

"Please come in."

The waiter pushed open the door and turned slightly to the side.

Kang Jae-hoon appeared at the door.

He had clearly rushed over; the wind had ruffled his bangs. His gaze swept across the private room—

On the left, by the window, Lin Yoona, with her elegant makeup and gentle, watery eyes, was smiling and waving at him, her gentle and intellectual demeanor revealing an unmistakable expectation.

right……

His gaze lingered on Bae Suzy for a few extra seconds.

A cream-white, fitted knit crop top with an off-the-shoulder design, the exposed shoulders shimmering delicately under the light. High-waisted, light blue washed jeans hugged her long, slender legs. Coral pink lips were full and alluring, with a subtle sheen. A light apricot blush graced her cheeks, giving them a healthy glow…

She resembled a peeled, juicy lychee, exuding youthful energy and... a touch of cunning in her simple and casual demeanor.

Compared to the mature and intellectual style that Lim Yoon-a carefully cultivates.

Bae Suzy's outfit, a trendy OOTD of the season, is undoubtedly more visually striking.

"Zai Xun, sit here."

Yoona's voice rang out gently, and she turned slightly to indicate that Kang Jae-hoon should sit next to her.

"Oppa, sit here~"

Bae Suzy greeted them with a sweet smile, then immediately reached out and gently patted the chair next to her. The neckline of her knitted sweater stretched slightly with the movement, revealing a small patch of even more alluring skin.

The voice just fell.

Two seemingly gentle and sweet gazes collided again in mid-air.

The electricity crackled and popped in the air!

Jiang Jae-hoon: “…”

What was wrong with his brain?
That's why they suggested "together"?!

Isn't Hwang Jae-woo's birthday excuse a good one?!
Even something as simple as accompanying your teacher to the film set to watch the Baeksang Arts Awards live broadcast?!

Seeing Jiang Zai Xun frozen at the door, his eyes filled with struggle and his feet seemingly rooted to the spot.

Yoona's smile softened further, carrying a perfectly measured understanding:

"You must be tired after a long day. Come in and sit down to rest."

Bae Suzy immediately followed, her voice both soft and urgent:
"Yes, Oppa, come in quickly~"

Two invisible forces acted simultaneously on Kang Jae-hoon.

A gentle, flowing current, yet turbulent undercurrents.

A burning passion, yet relentlessly pressing forward.

He felt like he was being torn in two...

Before the second round of invitations (pressure) issued by the two almost simultaneously reached its peak—

Kang Jae-hoon no longer hesitated.

He walked straight to the rectangular dining table covered with an exquisite table runner and pulled out a chair.

"Clang." He decisively sat down in the safest, most neutral spot.

To the left and slightly in front is Lim Yoon-a.

Bae Suzy is diagonally to her right.

It forms a perfect equilateral triangle.

"..."

"Humph~"

Bae Suzy let out a very soft, yet extremely dissatisfied, nasal sound.

She pouted slightly and turned her face away.

The pretty cream-white knitwear bunched up slightly as she hunched her shoulders, making her look even more innocent and adorable.

Looking at Kang Jae-hoon's ostrich-like attitude of "not offending either side," a very faint disappointment, which she herself did not notice, flashed deep in her eyes.

She didn't say anything more, but simply stretched out her slender fingers and gently pressed the service bell on the inside of the table.

"jingle--"

The crisp ringing of the bell broke the thick, almost stagnant air in the private room.

It also temporarily severed the two invisible shackles of gaze that were binding Jiang Zaixun.

The waiter quickly entered the private room.

The exquisite menus were placed in front of the three people one by one.

Instead of opening the menu in front of her, Lim Yoona leaned closer to Kang Jae-hoon quite naturally.

Her slender fingers pointed to a page in his open menu.

"Jae-hoon, try this steamed grouper."

Say it.

She looked up, her eyes now devoid of the barely perceptible disappointment she had felt moments before.

"I've had it in China. The fish was as tender as tofu, and when drizzled with a special soy sauce, it was so sweet and delicious that you could swallow your tongue... I wonder if Seoul can make it taste like that."

The words have not yet fallen.

The waiter standing by the table immediately put on a professional and proud smile, and replied in a loud voice:
"Don't worry, sir. Our chef was poached by the boss from a long-established Cantonese restaurant in Hong Kong at great expense! The cooking technique for steaming fish is perfect north of the Han River..."

"--Thanks."

Yoona thanked him gently.

This instantly cut off the waiter's endless self-recommendation.

The waiter's smile froze as he quickly realized he had overstepped his bounds, immediately shutting his mouth and falling completely silent.

Bae Suzy watched this scene and inwardly scoffed:

What a magnificent sight!

immediately.

As if nothing had happened, Lim Yoona moved her finger away from the page about "grouper," slid to another page, and pointed to a dish with an enticing picture:
"This crab roe tofu with shrimp roe bamboo-pressed noodles is also quite good..."

Jiang Zaixun had eaten this dish before.

Having triggered the memory point, he immediately replied:

"When I was filming in Shanghai, I always liked to go to a late-night snack stall in an alley after work to find one that specialized in crab roe. The chef was from northern Jiangsu, and his stir-fried crab roe sauce was golden and glistening with oil..."

"..."

In fact, Bae Suzy has visited China several times.

But it was all just a quick visit, for the sake of work.

I went back to the hotel right after walking the red carpet at Weibo Night.

The recording of Happy Camp also revolves around the schedule.

When it comes to late-night alleyway shops, or where to find the most authentic crab roe... these are memories imbued with the rich atmosphere of "local life".

She really couldn't get a word in edgewise.

however.

Watching the two of them practically huddle together, pointing at the menu and chatting happily about their experiences in China, the feeling of being excluded gnawed at her like tiny insects.

The dishes are finished.

The waiter left with the order menu.

A brief silence filled the air once more.

While Yoona was taking a sip of tea to soothe her throat, Suzy immediately turned to Kang Jae-hoon, resting her chin on her hands.

She stared intently at him:

"China is truly amazing! The food, the scenery, the culture... it makes me so eager to go!"

"Oppa, let's go together sometime after filming wraps up, okay?"

"You be our guide! We'll eat at all the private restaurants Yoona unnie mentioned, and then we'll go see where you're filming!"

The invitation came suddenly and directly.

Before Kang Jae-hoon could even process the word "we"...

"Ah."

A very soft whisper, tinged with knowing amusement, escaped from Lim Yoona's lips.

"Suzy is so childish."

"That's a lovely idea."

"But with Xun so focused on his career, he doesn't have time to travel and enjoy life now."

"After filming 'The Producers,' won't you immediately jump straight into screenwriter Kim Eun-sook's new drama 'Descendants of the Sun'?"

Kang Jae-hoon: ? ? ?

How does she know everything?!

You know even this perfectly well?!

He remembered that he hadn't discussed the specific project arrangements with Im Yoona...

Yoona saw through it but didn't say anything.

The smile at the corners of his mouth deepened a little more.

Bae Suzy was deeply hurt by Im Yoona's "childish" comment.

Hearing her speak so confidently about Kang Jae-hoon's schedule...

They seized the opportunity to counterattack in an instant!

"Wow……"

Bae Suzy's voice trailed off softly and for a long time, with an exaggerated exclamation:
"Yoona unnie's attention to our oppa's career schedule..."

She paused deliberately.

His gaze lingered meaningfully on Yoona's face.

"—She's probably even taller than the unnies in her own group, right?"

"I heard that the unnies have been rehearsing the synchronized dance for two whole months in seclusion for the pre-release track of this album..."

"As a core member, Yoona unnie has just returned from filming in China. Shouldn't she be working hard with the other unnies to prepare for the best performance for the fans?"

The implication is blatantly clear—

He's even giving up his job to pursue a man!

They gave up team rehearsals and their imminent comeback on stage, all just to compete with me here!

Want a face?

This move.

This touched upon the bottom line of Lim Yoona's professional ethics as an idol.

Especially at such a sensitive time—

Girls' Generation's first comeback as an eight-member group has garnered significant media attention and high levels of fan anticipation.

Bae Suzy's seemingly innocent "doubts" and worries.

Every word is scathing!

"Sooji..."

After all, she is a top girl group member who has honed her skills in front of the camera for many years.

Facial expression management is a fundamental skill.

Upon hearing this, Yoona's smile did not disappear.

Instead, it was as if they had heard something interesting.

The curve of her lips deepened gently, and she even shook her head slightly.

"You're still young, so you probably can't understand what true bonds are."

"My relationship with the unnies has been one of sweating, crying, and growing up together in the practice room since we were teenagers."

"We are not blood sisters, but we understand each other's thoughts better than blood sisters, and we understand each other's perseverance and hardships better."

"They will understand my brief distractions."

"Just as I understand the choice of any one of them."

Bae Suzy sneered inwardly.

Just as I was about to open my mouth and say a few more words—

Yoona spoke first:
"I've heard some rather interesting news..."

"They say it's...certain people..."

"On a normal day, she acts all warm and friendly, like a true best friend. But what's the result?"

"Secretly... how could he steal his best friend's role?"

Lim Yoona gently shook her head, letting out a very soft sigh filled with disdain:

"Tsk..."

"This 'ambition' is something I... am truly ashamed of."

In the cutthroat world of South Korean entertainment, the struggle for resources and the constant turnover of roles are the norm for survival. Every person who climbs to the top has countless "possibilities" under their feet.

This is not a moral flaw.

This is the rule.

It permeates every undercurrent like oxygen.

At this moment, Yoona is simply bringing this well-known but unspoken matter to the forefront.

It even escalated to the level of character.

Kang Jae-hoon clearly saw the instantaneous shock that exploded in Bae Suzy's eyes.

He instinctively wanted to say something in her defense.

However, Kang Jae-hoon's "Actually..." had barely begun to emerge.

Im Yoona's doe-like eyes suddenly swept over.

There was no angry glare.

There wasn't even a noticeable chill.

She simply looked at him calmly.

But the hairs on Kang Jae-hoon's back stood on end instantly.

All the words he tried to say to help Bae Suzy out of the predicament and ease the tension were stuck in his throat.

The air solidified instantly.

Just a second before this suffocating silence was about to explode—

Kang Jae-hoon suddenly stood up.

The force was so great that the chair slid backward against the ground with a sharp, piercing sound.

"I... I'll go check if the spicy chicken cubes are spicy enough!"

His gaze swept quickly across the faces of the two women, neither of whom looked well.

"—Have your tea first! I'll be right back!"

Done.

They didn't even wait for the two of them to react.

It looked as if Kang Jae-hoon was being chased by a raging flood or ferocious beast.

Turn around.

They practically escaped from that suffocating private room.

"boom!"

The door closed gently behind him.

It isolated the invisible swordplay and intrigue within.

Kang Jae-hoon leaned against the cold wallpaper wall, which was decorated with a pattern of peonies symbolizing wealth and prosperity.

He took a long, silent, and deep breath.

The cool air from the air conditioner in the corridor brushed against his burning cheeks, finally making him feel a little bit of oxygen again.

"I really..."

He raised his hand and rubbed his face in frustration.

I wish I could travel back a few hours.

Kill yourself for being the one who had the witty suggestion to "go together"!

…………

At the cashier service counter.

The head waitress, dressed in a cheongsam, had a beaming smile.

Kang Jae-hoon counted out a thick wad of brand-new 10,000 won from his wallet.

"One million, that table."

He pointed in the direction of the private room he had escaped from:

"Refund if overpayment, additional payment if underpayment."

"Yes, guest."

The foreman took the money with both hands and counted it skillfully.

"Also, sir/madam, our restaurant has just launched a new membership card. We're having a promotion right now: if you top up one million Korean won, you'll receive a free 100,000 Korean won dining credit, which is equivalent to a 10% discount!"

If it were two years ago...

Kang Jae-hoon might do the math on this "discount".

But now he has long since escaped the predicament of having to count the days on his fingers.

"Row."

"Would you please register your name and contact information?"

Kang Jae-hoon quickly took the form.

Bow down.

On that blank membership registration form.

He quickly wrote down his name and phone number.

The pen tip scratched across the paper with a soft, scratching sound.

The form is returned.

at this time.

A familiar, slightly surprised voice came from behind:

"Zai Xun?"

Kang Jae-hoon suddenly turned around—

Kim Mi-hye was standing a few steps away, with a brand-new, high-quality gray-blue cashmere shawl draped over her shoulders.

Beside her.

Standing there is Lee Sung-kyung!

"Master...Master's wife?! You...what brings you here?"

Actually, the moment I saw Kang Jae-hoon.

Kim Mi-hye immediately understood.

—This is the "purpose" that the girl in the Bible rushed her to this restaurant.

The thoughts of a young girl.

Kim Mi-hye's lips curved into a barely perceptible smile:
"The Bible says that this restaurant's crab meat lion's head meatballs are very authentic, so I was specially invited to try them."

"Oh, why don't we go together? We haven't finished ordering our dishes yet."

The words fell.

Kang Jae-hoon wanted to slap himself twice!
Was that mouth of yours rented today?!

Has it completely separated from the brain?

They even invited their master's wife?!
This is no longer a scene of carnage!
This is going to put him under the heavenly lightning of the Execution Platform!
"Okay."

Kim Mi-hye smiled and said:
"It's fate that we met. Lead the way."

Jiang Jae-hoon: “…”

It's over.

He felt like a fool who had willingly stuck his neck into the guillotine.

Hell mode.

Triple rewards activated.

The wind at the Execution Platform.

It started blowing fiercely.

Kang Jae-hoon turned around mechanically.

With heavy steps, he moved toward the chaotic private room he had just escaped from.

They saw three people approaching.

The waiter waiting by the door slowly pushed open the door to the private room, which was decorated with peonies symbolizing wealth and prosperity.

(End of this chapter)