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

Chapter 202 Ex-girlfriend's killer gaze VS Current girlfriend's killer look
September.

The global fashion industry is ushering in its busiest and most exciting season, with major fashion weeks in full swing. As a prelude, the battle for advertising space in the September issues of top fashion magazines has already begun.

W Korea is one of the top fashion magazines in South Korea.

This September's cover features a Dutch supermodel who has risen to fame on the international runway.

Despite the model's sculpted features and aloof aura, her influence in the local market clearly failed to significantly boost print magazine sales. The daily offline sales of her September issue were only in the middle range among many other high-profile magazines released at the same time.

Cheongdam-dong.

W Korea headquarters building.

Outside the huge floor-to-ceiling windows lies a bustling urban jungle.

The private office of Editor-in-Chief Tina was filled with the aroma of dark roasted Blue Mountain coffee beans and the slightly astringent smell of freshly printed ink. The computer monitor glowed softly, displaying real-time data from the sales system—21,347—that had just been updated.

"Over 20,000 online?"

Editor-in-Chief Tina didn't gasp, but the glint in her eyes betrayed the turmoil within her. She clicked on the pie chart, and a bright orange section highlighted a particularly striking data point—

"Fashion Pictorial: Kang Jae-hoon" - 13,218 copies, and next to that dazzling orange number is an astonishing percentage: 61.9%!

"how come……"

Tina murmured to herself.

This result is too bizarre!
Was this planning successful?
It was definitely a success!
But the glamorous, high-fashion face on the cover didn't boost sales. Instead, the young actress who only contributed one page as a token of "favor" actually pulled up the overall digital sales of the September issue by a huge margin!
Purchase of a single digital copy.

To put it simply, fans are only willing to pay for a specific set of images.

This is in the current climate of declining print media.

Fashion magazines have also adapted to the times, launching online digital versions. They are even thoughtfully divided into various sections, allowing consumers to purchase flexibly.

Although Kang Jae-hoon's photo set costs less than the price of a bowl of instant noodles, there's an inherent barrier between the fashion world and ordinary people. These 13,218 purchases and downloads are no longer just a simple set of interior photos—

Instead, it's a market popularity report with astonishing value, spontaneously certified by over ten thousand consumers!
……

three days later.

Dongdaemun Square.

Outside the cordon.

Media reporters, armed with their cameras and microphones, stood ready, their flashes poised to go off.

Both sides of the channel.

Security personnel in uniform separated the surging crowds and the frenzied shouts.

now.

A gleaming black van glided along the designated route along the edge of the street to the starting point for the fashion week entrance.

"Ah-"

A slight braking sound was heard, and the rear door was pushed open from the inside.

At the car door.

A shiny black Oxford shoe stepped on the ground.

then.

It was a pair of perfectly pressed black trousers without a single wrinkle.

—Kang Jae-hoon bowed and got out of the car.

The impeccably tailored black suit perfectly accentuated his broad shoulders, narrow waist, and upright, pine-like physique. His hair was combed back, revealing a smooth, full forehead and a distinct sharpness between his brows.

“Ah ...

"Kang Jae-hoon!!!!!"

"Oppa!!!"

"Look here!"

"..."

moment.

A deafening roar of screams, cheers, and shouts of names erupted, accompanied by a barrage of flashing camera lights!
See this.

Kang Jae-hoon wore a proper smile, a smile that had been carefully crafted in the mirror and by his stylist.

His steps were unhurried.

Stop, turn around, and freeze in front of the designated billboard.

Every angle of it is suitable as a screensaver.

The same venue.

Two years ago, he was a newcomer sitting in an inconspicuous corner of the back row of the audience area, clutching an "expired family ticket" that Lee Sung-kyung had gotten.

now.

Yet, they have already become the focus of attention, receiving invitations from the organizers, being sought after by fans, and surrounded by media cameras.

Business hours have ended.

Kang Jae-hoon waved to the enthusiastic media and fans, triggering a frenzy of screams and camera clicks. He was then guided by staff out of the "battle zone" and flowed towards the relatively dimly lit but bustling main venue passage.

The T-shaped platform has not yet been started.

Even the spaces between the seats were filled with elegantly dressed women.

Editor-in-Chief Tina noticed Kang Jae-hoon's entrance, and a smile instantly spread across her face. She whispered something to the composed middle-aged man beside her.

Upon hearing this, the man turned around, his gaze falling on Jiang Zaixun, who was approaching from a distance.

—To show one's sharpness.

An assessment based on the shrewdness and pragmatism of businessmen.

"Jae-hoon, this is James Kim, the Sales Director of TAG Heuer Korea."

Then Tina turned to James Kim and introduced him:

"This is the actor I mentioned to you before, the one who's been incredibly popular lately—Kang Jae-hoon."

"..."

Kang Jae-hoon bowed slightly, his manners impeccable.

James Kim extended his hand, his gaze behind his glasses carrying just the right amount of appreciation:

"Kang Jae-hoon-ssi, I've long admired you."

Instead of small talk or discussing fashion week, he cut straight to the heart of the matter:
"I just passed by the media area, and it was quite a spectacle. No wonder your personal special edition's digital version sold 3 copies in just one week—a truly remarkable achievement."

This is no compliment.

It's a genuine compliment.

In this country with only 50 million people, and where the habit of paying for digital magazines is not yet fully established, a special digital magazine issue priced at 5000 won is—

This achievement is not just excellent, it's phenomenal!
This means that more than 30,000 consumers willingly paid to download the app just for Kang Jae-hoon.

Even if only one percent of users develop a positive impression of the brand or even a desire to buy it because of the unique temperament and visual beauty he exudes while wearing the Carrera watch in the special feature.

That would be an absolutely surprising return on Carrera's marketing investment.

"Director James, you flatter me."

Kang Jae-hoon was neither flustered nor complacent because of these exaggerated figures; instead, he humbly nodded.
"Perhaps... this result also proves that the design aesthetics of the Carrera watch unexpectedly resonate with my personal temperament?"

"You could say it's the brand's classic charm that has found the right person to showcase it."

This word——

After highlighting its own strengths, it cleverly attributed the credit back to the timeless value inherent in the watch itself.

The sense of proportion is just right.

Neither overbearing nor overbearing.

There was not a trace of obsequiousness in his eagerness to seize the position of speaker.

James Kim's admiration deepened. He admired those who knew how to maintain their value through flattery more than obsequious sycophants.

"Kang Jae-hoon is too modest."

"It's tiring to talk while standing."

Editor-in-Chief Tina's voice chimed in at the opportune moment:

“Why don’t we sit over there and chat? Didn’t Director James say last time that he wanted to understand the preferences and trends of the current generation of consumers? Xunxi is the most popular artist right now and is also the object of pursuit by young consumers. His insights must be very valuable.”

Tina positioned herself as an "introducer" and "topic initiator," seemingly engaging in casual conversation, but actually positioning Kang Jae-hoon as the authoritative source of information that James Kim needed.

"Editor-in-Chief Tina's suggestion is excellent."

James Kim readily agreed.

The conversation that followed was guided and set up by Tina, and the pace was well controlled.

From fashion week trends to changing aesthetic preferences among young South Korean consumers, and the influence of social media on luxury consumption decisions…

Kang Jae-hoon demonstrated a maturity beyond his years and a keen market sense.

He speaks eloquently and expresses his views clearly.

However, he didn't just talk big; every point he made was substantial and hit the nail on the head.

The conversation was relaxed yet efficient.

But ultimately, this is an endorsement of a luxury watch brand.

It's impossible to make a decision immediately based solely on a pleasant conversation and market enthusiasm.

Until the lights on the catwalk suddenly came on, the music and models of the first show attracted the attention of most of the guests.

Their initial intentions were then finalized.

"Both I and TAG Heuer headquarters highly recognize Kang Jae-hoon's market appeal. We have high expectations for establishing a deeper partnership. However, based on the brand's consistent principle of prudence, we very much hope to invite Kang Jae-hoon to become Carrera's brand ambassador in the Korean region."

A brand ambassador is usually a preliminary, non-exclusive partnership, and there is still a gap between them and a true spokesperson with full rights.

Kang Jae-hoon's eyes remained expressionless as he quietly awaited what would happen next.

"As a gesture of welcome, the brand will present you with several classic watches representing its collection, hoping you will enjoy them and wear them often to showcase your unique style. At the same time, we will set a three-month observation period."

"If, within these three months, the retail sales of TAG Heuer Carrera watches in South Korea increase by 15% or more year-on-year..."

"So, at the beginning of 2016, Carrera will officially appoint Kang Jae-hoon as its brand ambassador for the Korean region and launch promotional cooperation covering the mainland China region."

15%.

This figure may seem low, but it's significant considering the overall poor performance of the luxury watch market in 2014, particularly the 12% drop in the Asia-Pacific region. Furthermore, TAG Heuer itself wasn't a top-tier market share holder in South Korea…

How can we achieve a turnaround and 15% growth within a quarter?

This almost requires him to generate a strong consumer boom in the South Korean market in the short term!

James Kim noticed the subtle expression on Kim's face, maintained his smile, and offered no explanation.

Market data is cold and hard.

Brands need influential figures with real conversion capabilities, not just traffic numbers.

Three months... awards season...

Kang Jae-hoon's mind raced through all the star-studded schedules of the fourth quarter in South Korea—

The Buil Film Awards, the Grand Bell Awards, the Blue Dragon Film Awards, the KBS Drama Awards, the SBS Drama Awards... and various year-end music festivals and award ceremonies...

This is a natural, high-intensity exposure channel.

As the undisputed "top-tier rising star" right now, he hardly needs to make any effort; the news of "Kang Jae-hoon serving as an award presenter/host at the XX Awards Ceremony" alone is enough to generate huge traffic.

High-frequency, highly focused, and high-profile exposure and traffic generation is one of his most valuable resources at present.

Besides...

He glanced at James Kim again, his expression remaining impassive. Even if the 15% growth target wasn't met, being a "brand ambassador" would still significantly enhance one's personal image.

Moreover, those classic brand watches that were to be "gifted" actually ended up in his watch box.

It will definitely not be a wasted effort.

No matter how you look at it, this is a sure win!

The lights in the show suddenly dimmed and then came back on.

The perfume molecules floating in the air still carried the lingering scent of the previous fashion show.

The brand assistant, who had been waiting for a long time, approached silently.

Holding a black velvet square box in both hands, James Kim gestured with a slight raised hand.

The lid opened silently.

The lining is pure white velvet, as pure as the first snow.

At its heart lies a horological masterpiece—the Carrera Calibre 5.

"A small gift to mark our meeting."

James Kim gently pushed the box toward Kang Jae-hoon:

"I hope it can accompany you to many more important occasions."

Kang Jae-hoon's lips curved into a very shallow, yet clearly definite, smile of approval.

Without offering any excuses, he extended his slender, well-defined fingers.

A crisp snapping sound rang out.

Three months.

That's enough for him to turn all those glamorous award ceremonies at the end of the year into exclusive open-air display windows for Carrera watches.

……

The contract is finalized.

A weight has been lifted off my shoulders.

Kang Jae-hoon finally lifted his gaze from the chessboard of business competition, and with a hint of leisure after "completing his work," casually swept his eyes over the more crowded yet dazzling core area of ​​the show's guests below the stage.

This sweep.

It was full of familiar faces, like stars twinkling in the sky.

—The former dance queen, California sweet peas, and Wolf Warrior are taking a group photo with their phones. AOA's pure and innocent standard and Apink's exquisitely sculpted face sit side by side. The wild horse's daring outfit is also eye-catching enough under the light and shadow.

My gaze swept over it.

They even caught a glimpse of the "Porcelain Spirit" whom they had met twice before.

She had shed her trainee naiveté and was now wearing a neatly tailored little black dress. The lines of her profile, under the contrast of light and shadow, resembled freshly sculpted white porcelain.

Is this... their debut?

Kang Jae-hoon's gaze swept over these familiar or somewhat unfamiliar faces as if browsing through a catalog.

then.

My gaze suddenly fixed on it, and I pulled back!

Right there, amidst the mingling of elegantly dressed figures and countless meticulously sculpted profiles—

Three chairs away from that newly made porcelain masterpiece...

Krystal Jung?!

at that time.

Krystal Jung seemed to sense something and looked back in that direction.

Eyes facing each other.

"!"

Krystal Jung's heart skipped a beat, and almost instinctively, relying on her deeply ingrained celebrity composure, she abruptly turned her face away. She forced herself to remain calm as she landed on the empty T-shaped stage directly in front of her.

Yes.

After her cameo appearance in "Descendants of the Sun," she had an awkward, uncomfortable, and slightly fluttering reunion with Kang Jae-hoon on set—a feeling she herself was reluctant to admit...

She was quickly packed up by SM Entertainment and put on a flight to the United States.

Venture into America.

The company shouts glamorous slogans, but what they throw at the four of them, f(x), is just a few patchwork performances.

My schedule is packed, I'm rushing from place to place as soon as I land, I'm so tired I feel like my soul has left my body.

During this month of jet lag-induced chaos in the late nights, or the brief moments of silence in the dressing room before a performance...

That night at the small restaurant in Taibai City, those things hidden in each other's eyes, unspoken and forcibly suppressed, always surfaced uncontrollably.

Once.

Twice.

One hundred times.

The more you think about it, the more you can't ignore the details and thoughts that you originally suppressed when you broke up, such as anger, grievances, and girlish pride.

At the end of the day…

They did not have any deep-seated hatred or irreconcilable fundamental conflicts.

It was nothing more than my own volatile, invincible insecurity at the time... compounded by a bit of the inexplicable, irrational speculation and willfulness of a teenage girl in her late teens... and mixed with my own foolish immaturity...

as well as……

cough cough...

There was only a tiny bit of unreasonable behavior involved (she would never admit that it was the main reason)!
We absolutely have to find the ringleader...

—That indecisive person, who, instead of immediately explaining things when she was in a sensitive period and got caught in the crossfire, let her overthink and get more and more stuck in a rut…

Kang! Here! Hoon!
—They can't escape responsibility either!
……

Kang Jae-hoon watched Jung Soo-jung's perfect 45-degree profile as she "watched the show," and the magnetic field that completely blocked his direction, without even twitching his eyebrows.

I don't even want to talk to them?
Too normal.

This is the real Krystal Jung.

Kang Jae-hoon calmly withdrew his gaze and turned his attention back to the empty end of the runway.

A beam of light cuts through the darkness.

Electronic music, with its cold tone, began to play and then changed, going through several cycles.

until.

A wave of background sound, blending retro electronic beats with subtle metallic textures, surged out from the speaker array.

In the halo of light in the passageway.

Lee Sung-kyung made her entrance with a strong presence, stepping onto the stage with her signature gait.

Compared to the heavily made-up runway makeup that Kang Jae-hoon couldn't quite appreciate two years ago, this is a far cry from his previous work.

Today, there are almost no signs of excessive makeup on her face.

The eyeliner only outlines the inner eyeliner, and the line at the outer corner of the eye is extended just enough to stop. Combined with the slightly deep eye socket, it creates a detached and scrutinizing feeling.

The curve of Kang Jae-hoon's lips deepened.

He almost immediately pulled his phone out of his suit pocket.

Unlock.

Open the camera.

The camera zooms in.

They started recording the figure that shone brightly under the spotlight.

In his lens, there is only her.

This focused expression, brimming with undisguised appreciation, was clearly captured by a pair of eyes not far away, which had been watching intently but not quite.

Krystal Jung's breath hitched slightly.

A feeling that was hard to describe—whether it was sour, suffocating, or something else—suddenly caught in my throat.

Kim! Ji! Won!
Jung Soo-jung vented her anger by giving her best friend who had tipped her off a good beating!
"Oh my gosh~ I knew you were back in Korea and had an event in Dongdaemun! What a coincidence that we've met from afar!"

What a joke!

I'm superfluous!
It is exactly—

Self-inflicted suffering!
……

Even the most spectacular show must eventually come to an end.

Fifteen minutes later.

Lee Sung-kyung's figure disappeared with the line of models at the backstage entrance.

The curtain call lights suddenly came on.

There was thunderous applause.

The entrance to the backstage area.

The light and shadow were divided by heavy curtains, and the sounds of people, footsteps, and clothes rubbing together created a busy sea.

Lee Sung-kyung tilted her head slightly as her hair and makeup artist carefully pressed blotting paper against her forehead. Several familiar models surrounded her, whispering and discussing the location for the celebration later.

As her eyes darted around, she caught a glimpse of a gap in the curtain—

Jiang Zai Xun's tall and upright figure appeared there, with a familiar, warm smile on his face.

The previously tense and aloof lines on his lips instantly melted away like ice and snow, and a genuine smile spread across his face.

Lee Sung-kyung stood up and walked a few steps around the crowd and obstacles to stand in front of Kang Jae-hoon:

"How was the conversation?"

Kang Jae-hoon did not answer immediately.

Instead, she deftly unfastened the Carrera watch on her wrist, which was still warm from her body.

He gently held her wrist in one hand.

With his other hand, he fastened the watch clasp tightly onto her delicate wrist.

The watch strap is a little loose.

Kang Jae-hoon took the opportunity to envelop that soft, boneless little hand in his warm palm and played with it:

"Brand ambassador, whether we can achieve a 15% increase in three months... it all depends on fate. If we succeed, the endorsement contract is in hand. If not... it's not a loss to get a few watches."

"Oh……"

Lee Sung-kyung was just about to express her opinion on this goal.

In the blink of an eye.

Her gaze, however, passed over Kang Jae-hoon's shoulder and landed on the half-lit, half-dark boundary between light and shadow outside the gap in the curtain.

Kang Jae-hoon keenly noticed her unusual behavior.

Following her gaze, I naturally turned and looked back.

I saw——

Krystal Jung's beautiful, cool eyes silently gazed at him and Lee Sung-kyung.

And the intimately intertwined hands between him and her.

(End of this chapter)