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

Chapter 191 The True Chungmuro ​​Admission Ticket

Yeouido.

A corner of a stylish coffee shop.

The afternoon sunlight streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows was cut into fine strips by the blinds, and tiny water droplets floated on the side of the iced Americano in the glass.

Yoona sipped her iced Americano, listening to Ji-hyun's slightly excited sharing across from her.

She just finished recording a music show performance.

The dazzling blonde hair she had dyed to return to her youthful appearance has now completely faded back to its original smooth black. This makes her features appear even more delicate, and she has lost some of the flamboyant radiance of her youth, gaining a more serene and gentle quality.

This was a decision she and her team made after weighing the options.

The background required for an actor's identity is obviously more suited to dark colors.

"Party" has entered its second week of promotions and is on a roll, sweeping up first place awards on various music shows. The wave of the queen's return is resounding throughout the music industry.

Meanwhile, "Veteran," released at the same time, also performed solidly at the box office. Although the recent controversy briefly slowed its growth in the second week, it has already accumulated an astonishing seven million viewers, making it a certainty to surpass ten million.

"So, you and Lee Sung-kyung became friends!?"

"Well... not really, we just get along quite well."

Zhi Xian paused subtly, then changed her words:

"She treated me to two meals. Once out, and once at her house."

"Oh?"

Yoona's voice rises at the end:
"What's the follow-up to the case? What about the platform...?"

"very smooth."

Ji-hyun stirred the caramel macchiato in front of her:

"The identity information obtained from the out-of-court settlement is complete, and the formal complaint materials were submitted to the court yesterday."

"Who is the person who spread the rumor?"

"It's been investigated. She's a minor internet celebrity from Busan, and she was clearly used as a pawn this time. The consequences will be dire for her."

She didn't delve into who was behind it all.

Identifying the perpetrators is enough to serve as a deterrent.

Yoona clearly wasn't very interested in this "ghostwriter," and the topic naturally circled back to:

"So... besides discussing the case, what did you and Lee Sung-kyung talk about?"

Zhixian pushed up her gold-rimmed glasses and said:
"We talked a lot. Body management, exercise stretching... You know, I'm a victim of severe neck and shoulder strain, and she's very professional in this area."

"Moreover, she knows a lot of things, such as how to match clothes to accentuate my strengths and minimize my weaknesses, and how to choose skincare products with ingredients suitable for my skin type... Listening to her talk about these things is much more interesting than talking about dry legal provisions."

Zhixian didn't mention the gentle yet powerful composure embodied in the Bible.

No matter how chaotic the outside world is, she always seems to be able to maintain a sense of peace, providing just the right amount of warmth and support.

—This trait is a healing remedy for a career woman like Ji-hyun who is under immense pressure.

If we say that Lim Yoona is a "man-slaying sword"...

Lee Sung-kyung is more like a sword that slays women.

"Looks like you guys... had a good time?"

"how?"

Upon hearing this, Zhixian picked up her cup and looked at her with a smile through the rim:

"Is Yoona, the big star, jealous?"

"What do you think?" Lim Yoona gave a soft hum, her fair fingertips tracing the condensed water droplets on the glass. "My best friend is about to join the enemy camp!"

Zhi Xian chuckled: "I'm here on orders to infiltrate the enemy camp and gather confidential intelligence for our princess!"

A questioning light instantly lit up in Lim Yoona's doe-like eyes:
"What did they find?"

Ji-hyun immediately got into character, leaning forward with a serious expression and covering half of her lips with her hands:
"Breaking news: Kang Jae-hoon is about to take office as the ambassador for preventing school bullying in Seongnam City."

"oh?!"

The storms in the public sphere always harbor hidden dangers.

Before the final verdict in the defamation case is delivered, any potential "reversal bomb" could reignite public opinion.

But what about "ambassadors for preventing school bullying" endorsed by local governments?
This is far more than just a matter of hanging up a name or filming a public service advertisement.

This is almost equivalent to—

The Seongnam Municipal Government, leveraging its credibility, awarded Kang Jae-hoon a national-level certification that described him as "having impeccable character and integrity."

The authorities personally intervened and delivered the final verdict.

All slander and speculation will lose their footing in the face of this weighty official endorsement, melting away like frost under the scorching sun.

This is more powerful than a hundred lawyer's statements!

"This move... is simply a stroke of genius!"

Im Yoona exclaimed sincerely, "Who came up with this idea? Kim Dae-won?"

Ji-hyun gently shook her head, took a sip of coffee, and said:
According to Kim's own words... it was Bae Suzy who helped him with the "introduction". Kang Jae-hoon personally donated 1 million won to the Seongnam City Government as the first installment of funding for the special fund to "prevent school bullying".

The words fell.

The surprise on Lin Yoona's face froze instantly, as if the warmth in her eyes had been suddenly drained away.

A sense of crisis quickly gripped my heart.

In her original understanding.

Bae Suzy's "interest" in Kang Jae-hoon remained at the most superficial level: his handsome appearance and the passion of the initial period.

Once filming ends and they're no longer spending so much time together, the hype will naturally fade away, just like the "limited-time" relationships that have existed in previous film crews.

But now?
This little girl...

Instead of "canceling the lease," she diligently played the role of a "good wife."

From cleverly using "charity appearances" to attract attention and help rebuild her image during the initial public opinion crisis, to now using her background and network of connections to access political resources, she has paved a path for Kang Jae-hoon to gain official credibility and recognition!

This is definitely not a fleeting romance!
This is to—

The Empress is on the verge of taking over!
"madness!"

She practically gritted her teeth as she squeezed out those two words.

"Ok?"

Zhixian was taken aback, and her raised eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

"No...you just said that move was good? How come..."

I couldn't quite put my finger on it for a moment.

Im Yoona tapped her knuckles lightly on the table:

"What's the difference between Jae-hoon serving as the propaganda ambassador for Seongnam City and publicly expressing support for the left-wing camp?!"

In South Korea, a country with deeply entrenched political divisions and factional antagonism, the most taboo thing for entertainers is to get involved in explicit political factions.

Because every move a public figure makes is magnified and interpreted, their influence can affect a huge fan base and commercial value.

"Uh……"

Zhixian subconsciously defended herself:

"Choo Ja-hyun is the city's ambassador, while Kang Jae-hoon is only the ambassador for the 'prevention of school bullying' project... The roles are more specific and less sensitive, right?"

"Is there a difference?"

Ji-hyun was taken aback by Im Yoon-a's sudden, cold question.

There is a difference in the public's perception.

But politicians see no difference.

No camp would tolerate an artist with significant public influence, especially among young people, becoming a spokesperson for a government project within the opposing camp's "sphere of influence."

Even the most basic "bullying prevention" publicity.

This is far more significant than the public outcry surrounding the previous "bullying incident." The entire cultural and artistic community is well aware of how low Park Geun-hye's tolerance for "dissidents" is.

"Since the brokerage firm can disclose information about the appointment and donation, it means that the process has likely been completed, and the agreement may even have been signed."

This is the key to the deadlock.

The wood is done.

Damage can't be undone.

"Ugh."

Countless words ultimately culminated in a soft sigh from Im Yoon-ah's throat:
"The only thing we can do is ask a few centrist media outlets to write some in-depth reports emphasizing that 'school bullying is a social cancer and that public interest is paramount.' Before the appointment is announced, we need to solidify the public's perception of 'public interest has no stance.'"

"As for the rest... let's just take it one step at a time."

That brat...

You've caused trouble, and I'll have to clean up your mess.

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.

Chengnan City.

City Hall Auditorium.

The deep blue backdrop was solemn and dignified, with a striking slogan printed on it: "Build a harmonious campus together, say 'no' to bullying! -- Appointment ceremony of special publicity ambassadors for the prevention of school bullying in Chengnan City".

The audience was packed.

The front row consists of government officials, education sector representatives, and media reporters.

The back row consisted of invited citizen representatives and students.

"...In view of this, the municipal government has specially appointed Mr. Jiang Zaixun as the city's ambassador for preventing school bullying! It is hoped that through his positive influence, he can call on the whole society to pay attention to the physical and mental health of teenagers and resist school bullying..."

On the stage.

Jiang Zaixun stood tall and straight, his face displaying just the right amount of solemnity and humility as he accepted the letter of appointment from the mayor, bowing slightly in greeting.

The flashbulbs went off everywhere.

Bae Suzy sat in the back of the audience, her gaze following the person in the center of the spotlight on stage.

Smiling.

His eyes were filled with pride.

How could Bae Suzy not be aware of the political risks behind Kang Jae-hoon taking on this position?

She knew it all too well.

Kang Jae-hoon himself was fully aware of this.

In this torn country, the public influence of celebrities is a double-edged sword.

but.

Why is it that whenever top actors from Chungmuro ​​experience a career collapse, they can make a comeback after only a few months or years of silence, and even without any reduction in resources?
Without him.

The male actors of Chungmuro ​​are not merely entertainers. Their core circle is intricately connected to the democratic forces driving social change. These actors have been present at numerous street performances and at the forefront of artistic expression during waves of democratization.

They are not only artists and writers, but also witnesses and participants in history.

If Kang Jae-hoon wants to knock on the door of Chungmuro's hall of fame and walk the path to becoming a movie star, how can he just be a "craftsman" who buries himself in acting?
Expressing one's stance to the outside world is a basic pledge of allegiance to integrate into that circle.

Without this stepping stone, top directors, screenwriters, core resources, mentorship from seniors... those resources that truly lead to the Best Actor award will never fall into the hands of someone outside the industry.

As for the consequences?

Risk and reward are always two sides of the same coin.

The sky is falling.

Anyway, with Song Kang-ho, Kim Hye-soo, and other bigwigs from Chungmuro ​​who have long been at the forefront and have made their positions clear, they are the ones to take the lead.

They are the "troublemakers" that those in power should be most wary of.

As for Kang Jae-hoon...

In the eyes of those important figures, it was far from enough.

On the stage.

Kang Jae-hoon's speech was nearing its end.

"Preventing school bullying requires the attention, courage, and action of each and every one of us. This is not just empty talk, but the cornerstone for our next generation to grow up healthily in the sunshine."

“I am honored to serve as the promotional ambassador for Seongnam City. This is not just an honor, but also a heavy responsibility.”

"I promise to do everything in my power and use my influence to advocate for, take action to protect every child from bullying, and make our school a truly safe and warm paradise for growth!"

"...Thank you everyone!"

The words fell.

Kang Jae-hoon bowed deeply to the audience.

offstage.

A thunderous applause erupted like a tidal wave. Flashes of light from cameras instantly created a blinding net of light.

The appointment ceremony has concluded.

Kang Jae-hoon stepped off the stage.

He was immediately surrounded by a group of reporters who had been waiting for a long time in the middle of the aisle.

A forest of long guns and short cannons.

Problems followed one after another.

What are your thoughts on your swift official appointment following your "bullying case"?

"Some people believe this is a powerful counterattack against those who spread rumors. Do you agree?"

"Some commentators have expressed concerns that the role of a publicity ambassador might involve expressing a political stance. How do you respond to such concerns?"

"..."

Kang Jae-hoon stood in the center of the small encirclement.

His face maintained just the right amount of seriousness and sincerity.

“This trust and responsibility are hard-won. It is a clarification of my personal experience, but more importantly, it sends a firm signal to society—we will never tolerate any form of school bullying, and the healthy growth of every child needs to be protected.”

"As for stance..."

Kang Jae-hoon paused slightly, skillfully avoiding any linguistic traps.

"Public welfare is public welfare. I am standing here now simply as a public figure who has the ability and responsibility to call on more people to pay attention to the difficulties faced by teenagers in their growth. Protecting children does not require a stance or label, but only conscience and action."

This answer was the script that Lim Yoona had prepared for him in advance.

It neither denied the clarification effect.

It also successfully defused the sensitive topic of "stance" within the grand narrative of "non-discriminatory public welfare".

The reporters quickly took notes using their voice recorders and notebooks.

The flashes continued to crackle.

The questions are less pointed.

More peace.

This round of interviews surrounding sensitive topics has finally come to an end.

Kang Jae-hoon could almost feel a thin layer of sweat seeping from the back of his neck.

He bowed slightly to the camera and microphone.

Under the polite escort of several staff members, I quickly walked through the noisy crowd and disappeared into the side corridor of the auditorium leading to the parking lot.

"Myeongdong CGV, 3:30 PM roadshow; Yongsan I-PARK MALL, 6 PM; Hongdae Lotte Cinema, 9 PM..."

Once in the car.

Kim Dae-won's announcement of his itinerary pierced Kang Jae-hoon's eardrums like a machine gun.

Last week's box office growth slowed due to negative public opinion. This week, intensive roadshows are needed to stimulate audience return and recover lost screenings and box office revenue.

……

The van sped through the relatively empty afternoon streets of Chengnan City, heading towards the movie theater where the afternoon roadshow was to be held.

Kim Dae-won, who had been driving in silence, glanced at Kang Jae-hoon, who was resting with his eyes closed in the passenger seat, and suddenly spoke:
"Jaehoon."

"Ok?"

Are there any brands or products that you are particularly interested in?

Hear the words.

Kang Jae-hoon looked up at him with some surprise.

This is a bit unusual.

usually.

When it comes to endorsements, agents select the best option after considering factors such as the artist's image, commercial value, market feedback, and even personal relationships, and then communicate with the artist to confirm.

People like Kim Dae-won are more accustomed to taking on everything, handling the complicated evaluation and negotiation process themselves, and ultimately only presenting the artist with the option of "signing".

It's euphemistically called: reducing the burden on artists.

Kang Jae-hoon was used to this model in the past, with a simple "hyung, you decide" or "hyung, if you think it's okay, then it's okay," which saved him a lot of trouble and effort.

But today...

Kim Dae-won, however, raised the issue of prioritizing the right to choose.

This is similar to the ancient practice of entrusting the young emperor with important responsibilities, gradually returning the power that was once firmly in the emperor's hands as the young emperor's power grew stronger.

Delegating authority is a wise move to adapt to changing times.

Clinging to power is a recipe for disaster—a path of blind loyalty and usurpation.

Kim Dae-won was Kang Jae-hoon's mentor, but he was never, and should never have been, his master.

A man's maturity can sometimes happen in just a moment.

Jin Dayuan saw it very clearly:

The Kang Jae-hoon in front of me is no longer the innocent extra who squatted at the door of a cheap rental room, looking at the "refrigerator dividing line" with no idea what to do; nor is he the naive newcomer who was so excited when he received his first supporting role contract that he repeatedly checked the amount of his salary.

Him now.

He is a rising "monster rookie" in Chungmuro;
He is the ambiguous partner of a top female star;

He is the creator of the phenomenal villain soul in "Veteran";
It is a core asset with endorsement contracts valued in hundreds of millions of Korean won;
He is also a figure with a semi-official endorsement as the "Ambassador for the Prevention of School Bullying in Chengnan City".

His vision, his judgment, and the rudiments of his plans for the future... have long exceeded the scope of Jin Dayuan's ability to "overstep his bounds" and make decisions on his behalf.

Rights belong to the subject.

The same applies to obligations.

Their eyes met briefly in the rearview mirror.

Kang Jae-hoon understood the message conveyed in Kim Dae-won's eyes, which were sharpened by time but showed signs of weariness.

Leaning back in his seat, he gazed at the rapidly receding city skyline outside the car window, and pondered for a moment:

"...Let's find a high-end watch brand to collaborate with first and test the waters of accessible luxury."

This choice was not made on a whim.

He had originally considered becoming a car brand ambassador.

That symbolizes higher social status and commercial value.

but……

The world of car endorsements is rife with problems, especially for top-tier imported luxury cars, which involve incredibly strict social class positioning and hidden screening processes.

Moreover, given Kang Jae-hoon's current qualifications and award accumulation (he only has a villain role in a phenomenal film and no mainstream acting awards), does he think he can make a move in this market?
Taking too big a step can easily lead to a fall.

more importantly.

Being a car brand ambassador means that he must drive the brand's vehicles for his daily commute and to attend events.

The passenger seat's memory function, the ornaments hanging in the car—who gave them to you—or even the lingering scent of perfume... could all become the trigger for a dramatic confrontation.

Rather than planting such a time bomb, it's better to avoid it for now.

Wristwatches are different.

It is a symbol of personal taste and an embellishment of status, but not a necessity for daily travel. It is high-end enough to enhance his business image, yet relatively private, unlikely to cause unnecessary "territorial" disputes.

"wise."

Jin Dayuan nodded, clearly agreeing with this direction:

"But in the luxury goods sector, especially for non-top-tier actors who want endorsements, the real reason is to seek resources from higher-ups and elevate their own status—as for the amount of the endorsement fee..."

He let out a cryptic snort and shook his head.
"It's normal for them to be significantly smaller than the national brands we signed with before. After all, you're just riding on their 'prestige' coattails."

"If we want to speed things up, we might need to get some outside help. Gong Hyo-jin or Shin Min-ah (Kim Woo-bin's girlfriend) have excellent connections in the fashion industry; they could make things much easier for them. Of course..."

"If you can't bring yourself to ask outsiders, you can ask your lioness. Her fashion resources and modeling background are a good starting point."

"Of course, you shouldn't underestimate yourself."

"The success of your deals with Binggrae, Coway, and Tony Glamour, especially the gold-rimmed glasses that sold out and boosted the stock price, is enough to prove that your sales ability is truly 'monster-level.' With this solid foundation, as long as you have some connections to pry open a crack in the door, getting an endorsement for a mid-range or near-top-tier watch brand shouldn't be a problem."

The car turned a corner.

Jin Dayuan added one last sentence:
"Let me do some research first and see which companies have plans to change their spokespeople or expand into the male market. Once I've figured that out, you can decide who to approach."

"Ah."

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 CGV cinema in Myeongdong was already packed with enthusiastic movie fans and media.

"Kang Jae-hoon! Kang Jae-hoon!!"

"Zhao Taiwu!!"

"Ahhhh——!"

The cheers nearly lifted the roof off.

A warm and friendly smile instantly appeared on Kang Jae-hoon's face. Surrounded by Kim Dae-won and the cinema security guards, he walked towards the small stage that had been temporarily set up.

"Hello everyone, I'm actor Kang Jae-hoon!"

"Thank you so much for supporting 'Veteran'!"

"..."

The roadshow was fast-paced and enthusiastic.

The main cast and crew shared fun anecdotes from filming.

Audience interaction and questions.

Signatures and photos.

The atmosphere reached its climax when Kang Jae-hoon interacted with the audience.

A young woman wearing glasses, who seemed somewhat introverted, mustered up the courage to ask a question:
"Jaehoon oppa, in the movie, Jo Tae-oh's... that office dance... did you really design it yourself?"

She seemed a little embarrassed to ask about "villains dancing," and her cheeks flushed slightly.

Laughter erupted from the audience.

Kang Jae-hoon smiled and picked up the microphone:
"That scene..."

He paused deliberately, mimicking Zhao Taiwu's neurotic shrug, which drew laughter from the entire audience.

"Actually, it was improvised. The director gave me a lot of freedom, saying that as long as it felt right, I could go crazy as I wanted. Then, as soon as the music started, I... well, you saw it."

He shrugged, giving me an expression that said, "I don't know how I ended up twisting like that," which triggered another burst of laughter.

"but!"

Kang Jae-hoon abruptly changed the subject, his smile fading:

"That twisted pleasure, that morbid catharsis built on the suffering of others... I hope people remember the horrific nature of this behavior, not... imitating my dance moves?"

The last sentence, tinged with self-deprecating humor, ignited the entire audience once again.

"Hahahaha!"

"..."

offstage.

A veteran entertainment reporter, watching Kang Jae-hoon maintain his professional demeanor on stage, whispered to his colleague beside him:

"After going through such a big storm, they were still able to keep their composure and keep running one roadshow after another. Their ability to withstand pressure and their professionalism are truly remarkable."

……

The final performance of Lotte Cinema in Hongdae has ended.

The night is dark.

The neon lights of the shopping mall flickered and danced outside the car window.

The noise faded away.

The interior lights were dim.

Kang Jae-hoon leaned back in his chair, his eyes slightly closed.

Maintaining a smile for a long time made the cheek muscles a little stiff, and a button on the collar of the shirt lining the suit came undone.

Jin Dayuan looked at the quiet silhouette in the rearview mirror and was about to say, "Shall we go back to Shengshui Cave?", but after thinking about it, he swallowed his words.

They drove directly to Bae Suzy's apartment.

after all.

With Bae Soo-ji's wholehearted assistance, Kang Jae-hoon's arduous task of "delivering grain late at night" was naturally unavoidable and an inescapable responsibility.

(End of this chapter)