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

Chapter 192 Flirting Almost Caused My Plank to Be Exposed

Chapter 192 Flirting Almost Caused My Plank to Be Exposed
afternoon.

The torrential rain came down without warning, pounding against the car windows with a loud crackling sound.

The windshield wipers futilely sliced across the windshield, and all I could see were blurry, shimmering water droplets and the red taillights of passing cars.

The congested traffic moved slowly forward.

Kim Dae-won glanced at Kang Jae-hoon, who was resting with his eyes closed in the back seat, and said:

"We've found out about the watch brands. TAG Heuer's Carrera line is looking for a 'breakthrough' collaboration in the South Korean market."

“In the past two years, South Korean youths have been brainwashed by capital, and the trend of taking out loans to consume luxury goods is a bit strange. They want to test the waters.”

“It’s a springboard for us. If we operate it well, we’ll have the opportunity to take over TAG Heuer’s premium line in the Asia-Pacific region or globally in a couple of years.”

"but……"

Jin Dayuan changed the subject, his brow furrowing slightly:

"It is rumored that they are currently internally more inclined to cooperate with Rain."

"Rain?"

Kang Jae-hoon lifted his eyelids.

The hazy glow of neon lights outside the window brushed across his profile.

"Ah."

Jin Dayuan responded through his nose:
"Rain's international fame... certainly fits the stereotypical image of a 'Korean Wave representative' in Europe and America. But—his influence in South Korea, especially after his military service..."

The sound paused subtly.

Jin Dayuan's eyes quickly swept across the rearview mirror.

In the mirror.

Kang Jae-hoon calmly watched the rain-washed street scene outside the window, his face expressionless.

Kim Dae-won's Adam's apple bobbed, and he swallowed back the words that almost escaped his lips: "The movie you made with your ex-girlfriend, 'My Lovely Girl,' was a complete flop."

The conversation took an extremely natural turn:
"His popularity... is a bit awkward. His album received a lukewarm response, and the ratings for the dramas he starred in... well, let's just say they weren't very satisfactory."

"So, we are not without opportunities. There are actually disagreements within TAG Heuer's decision-making team regarding the market strategy for South Korea."

Kim Dae-won explicitly threw the choice back to him:

"See if anyone can help you set up a connection?"

“I’ll go back and ask the Bible.”

"Row."

"..."

The van drove through the bustling commercial district and slowly pulled up at the VIP entrance of the cinema where the next roadshow was to be held.

The car just stopped.

The moment Kang Jae-hoon bent down and crawled out...

"Ah—!! Jae-hoon oppa!!!"

"Kang Jae-hoon! Look this way!"

"Here, here!"

"..."

The fans who had been waiting outside the cordon erupted in screams and shouts loud enough to lift the roof off the car!
Kang Jae-hoon straightened up, a gentle smile now on his face.

Through the rain and the wall of security personnel, I clasped my hands together and bowed respectfully towards the blurry, swaying figure.

A brief gesture of greeting.

But the gratitude in that gesture was clearly conveyed.

This caused the screams to rise even higher.

……

The roadshow concluded amidst enthusiastic interaction and thunderous applause.

The night is thick as ink.

The rain has stopped.

The air was damp and chilly.

Kang Jae-hoon pushed open the door to his home.

Then I saw Lee Sung-kyung sitting barefoot in the center of the sofa, one hand supporting her chin and the other holding a script booklet.

His brows were slightly furrowed.

Hearing the noise, he looked up.

After recognizing him, the wrinkles between his brows quietly smoothed out.

Kang Jae-hoon changed into slippers.

I walked over and sat down next to her, my arm naturally wrapping around her waist.

Lee Sung-kyung did not resist.

She leaned back slightly, resting her head gently on the crook of his neck.

"A new script?"

"Ah."

Kang Jae-hoon reached out his free hand and took the script, the cover of which had a striking title—"Cheese in the Trap".

I picked up the corner of the script with my fingertips and turned to the first page.

My gaze swept over the character profiles:
【Bai Renhe】

[Baek In-ho's older sister. She's an absolute beauty who turns heads wherever she goes. But men only stick their tongues out at her twice: once when they're captivated by her beauty, and again after they learn about her temper...]

Kang Jae-hoon's lips silently curved into an upward arc:

"The casting director... definitely has a good eye."

Lee Sung-kyung lifted her chin slightly from his embrace, her beautiful eyes glancing at him sideways:
"have opinions?"

"Have."

Kang Jae-hoon answered decisively.

Lee Sung-kyung raised an eyebrow: "?"

"The opinion is..."

Kang Jae-hoon suddenly turned and lowered his head, his warm breath brushing against her ear:

"—You're such a stunning beauty, it's too much of a waste of your tongue."

Lee Sung-kyung froze for half a second.

She immediately realized what was happening, and her cheeks instantly felt hot.

"ah!"

A surge of anger welled up within him.

Without any hesitation, I punched his forearm.

Jiang Zaixun made a fake "hiss" sound, but then seized the slender wrist that was abusing him, and slowly rubbed his fingertips on the delicate skin of her hand.

"The Bible..."

Lee Sung-kyung withdrew her hand.

No twitching.

This only made him hold on tighter.

The body also naturally takes up more space.

Temperature rises.

The invisible tension in the air suddenly tightened.

She frowned and warned:
"Let go! I still have to... um..."

The second half of her sentence was cut off by Kang Jae-hoon's kiss.

"no……"

Lee Sung-kyung broke free and turned her blushing face to the side:
"...Not now, at least. I need to read the script."

"..."

There was a brief silence.

Looking at her profile as she tried to appear calm, Kang Jae-hoon suddenly chuckled softly.

"Lee Sung-kyung, your thinking... is a bit unhealthy?"

To turn the tables and make false accusations with such self-righteousness.

Lee Sung-kyung was furious.

The wrist that was being gripped suddenly struggled, and this time the bent elbow was serious—

boom!
It landed squarely on his waist and abdomen.

It wasn't too heavy, but it was enough to make him groan.

"hiss……"

Kang Jae-hoon immediately backed down, raising a sign of surrender:
"Stop! Stop! Admit defeat! Something's really wrong!"

Lee Sung-kyung snorted:
"explain."

Kang Jae-hoon rubbed the spot where he had been teased, his joking expression fading, and got down to business:

"I need your help..."

Kang Jae-hoon succinctly recounted what Kim Dae-won had said on the road today about TAG Heuer's Carrera series, the brand's wavering decision-making, and their current predicament of needing connections in the fashion industry.

"A watch..."

Lee Sung-kyung tilted his head and pondered for a moment.

A clear picture of the intricate workings of the brand's decision-making team came to mind. He then grabbed his phone from the coffee table, tapped away on the screen, and quickly found a number to dial.

"Beep...beep..."

The call is connected.

"Hey, Tina unnie~"

Lee Sung-kyung's voice instantly switched to a sweet, slightly coquettish tone.

But this sweetness only lasted for a second...

Jiang Zai Xun's free hand, which had just been pressed down and was supposed to be "well-behaved," began to quietly reach towards the hem of her cardigan at her waist.

Lee Sung-kyung's body trembled violently, a tiny electric current instantly shooting through her spine, and the sweet "Unnie~" at the end of her voice was irrevocably altered.

She bit her lower lip hard, swallowing back the gasp that was about to escape her throat, while using all her strength to fight desperately against the thrashing claw on her waist.

at the same time.

The voice, however, seemed to have been instantly tempered, forcibly returning to a steady state.

His pronunciation was clear and accurate.

Jiang Zaixun looked up and met her eyes, which were wide open like glass beads and burning with two clusters of shame and anger. The meaning in her eyes was crystal clear: If you don't behave, I'll bite you to death!

Kang Jae-hoon was amused by her exasperated yet feigned nonchalance, which fueled his anger.

I haven't even gotten revenge for the old grudge I got from being elbowed!
then.

Despite her warning look, Kang Jae-hoon not only didn't back down, but his other hand, which had been "well-behaved" and lying dormant, also joined the fray with lightning speed.

—The more you tell me not to move, the more I want to move!
My palms are burning hot.

A two-pronged approach.

"..."

Lee Sung-kyung was completely overwhelmed.

Breathing inevitably becomes heavier.

—Does he have any sense of propriety at all? I'm still on the phone!
Tina on the other end of the phone was clearly confused by the sudden, rapid, and disordered breathing:
"Bible, what's wrong with you over there? You're panting heavily..."

The words have not yet fallen.

Lee Sung-kyung's fabricated excuse had already slipped out:

"N-nothing! I'm... um... doing a plank!"

After saying that, she used almost all her strength to stomp hard on Jiang Zaixun's instep, thus gaining a brief moment to break free from her grasp.

Her cheeks were as red as if they had been splashed with the finest rouge, and an alluring blush spread across her ears and neck.

He awkwardly shifted his body to the other end of the sofa, quickly creating a safe distance, before, slightly panting from the ordeal, he forced himself to speak into the microphone:
"I just... um... switched to a more difficult move, it was a bit strenuous... but I made it through!"

"Oh fine."

Tina's voice sounded skeptical:

"You girl... you manage to film and work out at the same time, you're going to crush your competitors."

"..."

The crisis is temporarily over.

Lee Sung-kyung had no time for pleasantries. She kept a safe distance from Kang Jae-hoon by pressing her feet against him and went straight to the point, telling Tina her core demands.

Tina paused for a moment on the other end of the phone, then readily agreed:
"Okay, let's arrange to meet the day after tomorrow."

"Mmm~ Thank you, unnie. Get some rest, unnie, bye~"

He hung up the phone immediately.

The phone slipped from my hand and landed on the sofa cushions.

"Hoo... Kang! Jae! Hoon!"

She turned her head away.

Those beautiful eyes were burning as if they were about to spew out molten lava!

Like a lioness poised to pounce, she ignored the fiery sunset on her face and lunged at Kang Jae-hoon with bared teeth and claws.

Kang Jae-hoon did not dodge.

Instead, he used the momentum of her lunge to spin around.

Bang!
Lee Sung-kyung felt dizzy and disoriented.

The moment her back hit the soft sofa cushion, she was firmly pinned down by Kang Jae-hoon.

Warm breaths brushed against her burning skin like feathers.

A scorching heat enveloped everything.

next second.

His kisses rained down like a storm.

The sofa seemed unable to bear the weight, creaking softly under its strain.

Clothes were stripped off in a chaotic and hurried tearing.

Body temperature and breath were completely intertwined.

……

The clouds have dispersed and the rain has stopped.

Jiang Zai Xun lay on his side, his fingers idly stroking the smooth, slightly sweaty shoulder in his arms.

Its delicate texture is like that of fine velvet.

Who were you talking to just now?

His voice carried a languid quality.

Lee Sung-kyung closed her eyes, curled up in his arms, her long eyelashes covering her slightly reddened lower eyelids.

"Editor-in-Chief of W Korea".

"Editor-in-chief of a fashion magazine?"

In the chain of luxury brand endorsements in South Korea, top fashion magazine editors play an indispensable pivotal role.

For non-top-tier celebrities, the threshold for getting involved with luxury brands is extremely high.

The process is usually cumbersome and time-consuming:

Artists first need to invest a lot of time and effort to build personal goodwill with the core editorial team by frequently participating in magazine events, cooperating with street photoshoots, and giving customized small gifts.

This process can take anywhere from one or two months to one or two years.

Only after a solid foundation of personal trust has been established will the magazine shoot a series of interior photos for the artist in a planned issue.

The styling for the photoshoot needs to incorporate items from a specific collection of the luxury brand that the artist's team wants to collaborate with (sometimes even down to the main pieces from a particular season). This serves as a stepping stone for the artist to demonstrate their "sincere commitment" and "style compatibility" with the brand.

If the design of the inner pages receives a positive response, and the brand shows interest in what it presents.

Then, at the next major fashion event (charity gala or fashion week), the magazine editor-in-chief will decide whether to introduce the artist to the relevant brand representative.

Once the referral stage is reached, the editor-in-chief's role usually stops there.

Ultimately, the decision on which brand endorses an artist is made is based on a comprehensive assessment by the brand itself, taking into account market data, the artist's image fit, commercial value predictions, and the underlying power struggles.

What artists can do is to better showcase themselves.

Lee Sung-kyung made a phone call directly to Tina, the editor-in-chief of W Korea.

The time-consuming process that Kang Jae-hoon's team might have had to endure for one to two months, humbly trying to "pull strings and maintain personal relationships," was directly cut out, and the "introduction" step was put directly on the agenda.

After listening to Lee Sung-kyung's explanation, Kang Jae-hoon seemed to be deep in thought:
"Based on this process, it will take at least two months. Such a long interval... Does that mean Rain has already signed?"

"Do you think luxury brand endorsements are as easy as cabbage? It doesn't happen that quickly."

"Oh, I got it."

Kang Jae-hoon affectionately rubbed his nose against her smooth forehead:

"Then... how should I thank my darling?"

Lee Sung-kyung, with her eyes closed, hummed and mumbled, "Who is your darling?"

"Ok?"

Jiang Zai Xun chuckled softly, his warm breath brushing against her sensitive earlobe. He tightened his arms, pulling her even closer into his embrace.
"Not a treasure? Then what is it?"

Lee Sung-kyung felt ticklish from his rubbing and shrank her neck, but had nowhere to escape, so she could only remain stubborn:

"Your Majesty!"

"Queen? Then...should I thank my Queen?"

Kang Jae-hoon raised an eyebrow, his warm palm sliding down her smooth, slender back, sending shivers down her spine.

"Ugh, such a lewd way of thanking me?!"

It's a pity it's too late.

Before the warning was even finished, Kang Jae-hoon's hand had already traversed that soft, smooth skin, advancing straight upwards.

"Kang, Jae-hoon—!!"

Lee Sung-kyung struggled in a fit of rage.

The queenly aura she had just built up crumbled in an instant.

"I am expressing my highest respect and gratitude to Her Majesty the Queen, who is so busy with state affairs and works so hard for the country, through my actions..."

Lee Sung-kyung was so angry she gritted her teeth, her body twisting like a fish out of water:

"You...uh...let me go...I want more..."

She clung to the last three words.

His face turned red.

Not only did Kang Jae-hoon not stop, but his other free arm also joined the fray, firmly fixing her in the small space formed by the sofa and his body.

The script booklet had long been mercilessly pushed off the edge of the sofa.

There was a snap.

It was pitifully spread out on the name "Baek In-ho".

Lee Sung-kyung's struggles were ultimately in vain.

All accusations were swallowed up by a passionate kiss.

Only hurried, labored breathing remained, rising and falling in the dimly lit living room, replacing the unfinished sentence—

"Look...at the script..."

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.

Itaewon.

The drizzle has just stopped.

Sunlight streamed through gaps in the thick clouds.

Narrow street corner.

The booths by the window on the second floor of the cafe.

Kang Jae-hoon and Lee Sung-kyung had just sat down.

The crisp "thump" of high heels on the wooden stairs grew louder as they approached.

Tina has arrived.

He looks to be in his early forties.

Her short hair was neat and her makeup was exquisite.

He wore a sharply tailored black smoking suit, without any superfluous jewelry. Only a Patek Philippe watch with a square dial gleamed discreetly on his wrist.

"Unnie~ This outfit is so cool! I wish I had changed to something even more edgy!"

"Come on! Our Bible has a figure like that; she could walk the runway in a burlap sack."

Tina smiled broadly and gave Lee Sung-kyung a light hug before turning to Kang Jae-hoon and extending her hand.

"Kang Jae-hoon? Congratulations on the movie's huge success. Jo Tae-oh... he gave me nightmares last night, he was really ruthless."

This statement was half-joking and half-acknowledgment.

Kang Jae-hoon shook hands with her with a smile:
"You flatter me. Thank you for taking the time to meet me."

They exchanged a few pleasantries.

I ordered coffee.

After the waiter left.

Tina leaned back comfortably into the large chair, her gaze lingering for a moment on Lee Sung-kyung's long, straight, shapely legs, casually crossed under the table, before she smiled and spoke:
“You look great lately, Bible.”

"You flatter me, Unnie. I've just been having a better appetite lately."

An understatement.

It didn't mention the heroic act of someone getting up in the middle of the night to "nourish her blood and qi".

Tina turned her gaze to Kang Jae-hoon:
"TAG Heuer Carrera... This series currently has a very limited positioning and promotion budget in the Korean market. To put it bluntly, they just want to give it a try."

"If they ultimately agree to give you only the title of 'brand ambassador' with a tiny promotional fee that's practically a favor... frankly, this kind of collaboration is very low-value. What are you getting out of it?"

The air was quiet for a moment.

The faint sounds of traffic from the street outside the terrace were filtered out.

Lee Sung-kyung listened quietly with her eyes lowered.

She knew that Kang Jae-hoon didn't need her to answer for him.

I saw.

Kang Jae-hoon didn't feel any pressure from being scrutinized; instead, he leaned back slightly in a relaxed posture.

His arm was draped over the back of the chair.

"Editor-in-Chief Tina thinks..."

"Which image—a man standing on a promotional signboard in a roadside clothing store or standing on a giant advertisement atop a high-end department store—is more deserving of the title 'Best Actor'?"

His voice was deep and steady.

Their ambitions are obvious.

Confidence is undisguised.

Tina stared at the young, handsome, and sharply defined face in front of her for a few seconds.

suddenly.

The professional probing and consideration on his face faded, and the corners of his mouth slowly turned up, revealing a genuine smile of appreciation.

Smart person.

A frank ambition is far more powerful than a false humility.

I like people who are decisive and efficient.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Zai Xun maintained his relaxed demeanor and slowly said:
"Since that's the case, then I'll be frank—"

"I can't accept the favor of Editor-in-Chief Tina for nothing."

"Besides helping you with lead generation for your personal projects..."

"We can also get an exclusive interview with any active Chungmuro actor for W Korea."

It's not "maybe".

It means "can".

He is not just an actor in general terms.

It refers to the ethnic group at the very top of the pyramid, specifically "Chungmuro".

Moreover, it's "exclusive".

Kang Jae-hoon's attitude was very clear—he was not there to beg for handouts, but to discuss cooperation.

Personal connections and relationships are ultimately superficial.

The most solid alliances can only be forged when each party entrusts its core interests to the other.

A fleeting tremor passed quickly through the depths of Tina's pupils.

—Exclusive in-depth interviews with popular actors or big names in Chungmuro!
In the fiercely competitive red ocean of South Korean fashion magazines.

This is absolutely a game-winning move!

Vogue Korea, ELLE Korea, BAZAAR... which of these publications isn't fighting tooth and nail for the cover and interviews of top actors?
Kang Jae-hoon's words carried a lot of weight!
Although W Korea is a top-tier magazine.

But can we really get those Chungmuro veteran actors who rarely accept fashion interviews or whose schedules are extremely tight to do in-depth interviews?

It's extremely difficult.

What gives Kang Jae-hoon the right to make such a promise?

Naturally, it's because of the powerful figures behind him.

Huang Zhengmin's direct disciple.

A rising star personally promoted by director Ryoo Seung-wan.

Jung Tae-sung, CEO of CJ's film division, is a favorite of Jung.

The combined influence of these individuals on Chungmuro and even the entire Korean film industry...

To secure an interview with an actor for him?

Perhaps all it takes is a single sentence.

Tina forced herself to look away from Kang Jae-hoon's face, which was filled with confidence and ambition, and turned to Lee Sung-kyung, who was listening attentively beside her.

—This girl has a really sharp eye!

I just don't know if she can hold onto this man for long.
My thoughts raced.

It was pulled back instantly.

Tina's face regained its impeccable professional expression as she extended her well-maintained hand towards Kang Jae-hoon:
"Pleasant to work with."

"Pleasant to work with."

Kang Jae-hoon's hand briefly touched Tina's across the table.

Ambition is transformed into the tangible transmission of temperature.

"Then let's finalize the schedule now. The inside page photoshoot is scheduled for the September issue, what do you think..."

Kang Jae-hoon's brows, which had just relaxed, furrowed slightly, almost imperceptibly.

—September issue?

Does that mean it won't be published until September? Timeliness...

My mind is still undecided.

Lee Sung-kyung, standing beside her, seemed to have been prepared all along.

Under the table.

Her slender ankle brushed against Kang Jae-hoon's calf without him noticing, then she turned her head to explain to him:
"In the fashion industry, there's a saying: 'Golden September, Silver October.' Apart from the anniversary specials of top publications, the September issue is the most important and significant issue of the year. This is the month that advertisers and luxury brands value most when placing ads, as the exposure, buzz, and subsequent influence are at their peak for the whole year. Being featured in the September issue is a crucial resource that many artist teams would fight tooth and nail to secure."

"Oh……"

Kang Jae-hoon understood instantly.

Instead of blocking him, Editor-in-Chief Tina gave him the highest-level admission ticket.

That shows she was sincere.

The slight doubt about being "wasted time" vanished instantly, and a hearty smile spread across my face.

"Thank you for your consideration, Editor-in-Chief Tina. I happen to have time tomorrow."

Tina looked up in surprise upon hearing this.

To know.

Veteran is sweeping the box office charts with overwhelming force.

He was still running around doing promotional events yesterday, how dare he say he'll be free tomorrow?
Meeting her probing gaze, Kang Jae-hoon smiled and explained:
"Thanks to everyone's continued support, the number of viewers for 'Veteran' has exceeded ten million by this morning."

One thousand...ten thousand? !
Tina was deeply shaken.

The South Korean film market is of limited size.

A film's viewership exceeding ten million is a significant milestone in determining whether a work has reached the level of a "phenomenon."

Veteran did it!

This critically acclaimed film, directed by Ryoo Seung-wan, starring Hwang Jung-min, and featuring Kang Jae-hoon as the main villain, has broken through the 10 million mark at an astonishing speed!

This means it has firmly secured the top spot at the annual box office and may even be aiming for a higher historical ranking!
It means more.

Kang Jae-hoon is one of the key figures in this phenomenal masterpiece...

Popularity.

Word of mouth.

Commercial value.

They were all pushed to an unprecedented and terrifying peak!
He no longer needs to be overwhelmed by the need to run multiple roadshows to boost sales. The film's powerful long-tail effect will naturally attract a steady stream of new viewers.

His time is indeed relatively free.

"Wow... Congratulations!"

Tina sincerely congratulates:

"To achieve this in his first leading role, his future is limitless."

"..."

Veteran is not Kang Jae-hoon's first film; For Love or Money is.

However, correcting the topic at this moment would obviously make the atmosphere a bit awkward.

So, Kang Jae-hoon humbly replied to her.

Chatted a few more words.

Editor-in-Chief Tina explained the general creative direction and shooting plan to Kang Jae-hoon, and then left first, citing "not wanting to disturb their date."

Her high heels clicked crisply as she walked towards the stairwell.

After the figure disappeared.

The small booth by the window was suddenly empty except for the two of them.

The iced coffee in the two cups on the table was wafting gently.

The street scene outside the window was clear and bright after being washed by the drizzle.

Kang Jae-hoon squeezed Lee Sung-kyung's fingers and leaned slightly towards her:

"Thank you, my Queen."

Mention the Queen.

Lee Sung-kyung instantly recalled that absurd night on the sofa.

A blush instantly spread across her cheeks.

She tried to break free, but he pulled her along, causing her to lose her balance and fall into his arms.

"Kang Jae-hoon!"