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

Chapter 206 The Art of Balancing: A Birthday Prelude with Three Parallel Lines
The next day.

On the set of "Descendants of the Sun," the last day of the Seoul segment.

Kang Jae-hoon was dressed in casual clothes, holding in his hand the light stick that would soon become the main prop—a support light stick for the Red Velvet group.

This scene has an extremely lighthearted feel.

He needs to temporarily shed Xu Da Rong's iron-willed military spirit and transform into a male fan with fervent eyes and exaggerated body language. Standing below the noisy stage, he waves the light sticks representing fervent heartbeats alongside Song Joong Ki's character, Yoo Si Jin.

Shooting begins.

The lights come on.

The music blared.

With an unburdened, excited grin spreading across his face, Kang Jae-hoon waved his light stick and swayed rhythmically to the beat of the drums, perfectly embodying the spirit of "immersive fandom."

in fact.

He doesn't watch many idol performances.

The criteria for judging good and bad are rather vague.

But I have to admit.

Having spent a long time immersed in the joys and sorrows of the characters on set, the youthful energy emanating from under these dazzling lights is like a refreshing breeze, dispelling the gloom that has been weighing on my heart for days and being steeped in the emotions of the characters, and providing a kind of release.

Very strange.

But it was surprisingly pleasant.

"..."

"Cut!"

The noise on set, which had been detached from the plot, immediately erupted.

Kang Jae-hoon pushed through the crowd and walked toward Bae Joo-hyun, who was disassembling her in-ear monitor with the help of her assistant.

Bae Joo-hyun's beautiful eyes lit up the moment she saw him clearly, and then the corners of her mouth curved into that foolproof idol smile.

Obviously.

She has a good memory and can still recognize who Kang Jae-hoon is.

"It was a bit of a regret at the last fashion week; I didn't get a proper chance to say hello."

Kang Jae-hoon offered his heartfelt congratulations:
"Congratulations on your successful debut today. Great performance."

"The senior actor is a pleasant surprise; he's now a rising star in Chungmuro."

Bae Joo-hyun replied with a smile.

"..."

Bae Joo-hyun is no longer the unknown girl who can chat freely. Every second of her interactions with a popular male actor, which she had only recently debuted as an idol group member, is likely to be interpreted and magnified.

then.

Kang Jae-hoon exchanged only a few polite pleasantries before tactfully ending the conversation.

After saying goodbye, a subtle ripple stirred in his heart—

The trainee who once cautiously questioned him outside SM Entertainment is now a dazzling presence on stage.

He himself rose from the painted-eyebrow "noble lady" in the play "Macbeth" to a highly sought-after position on Chungmuro ​​Road.

This feeling...

Like looking back on the road you came from, you catch a glimpse of another wild grass that once swayed side by side with you, which has now blossomed.

It has nothing to do with romance, it's just the traces left by time.

Before I had taken a long step, a question that was not just a polite inquiry drifted into my ears.

"Is this also your dear sister?"

His voice carried a hint of something that was hard to tell whether it was a joke or a serious one.

Kang Jae-hoon turned his head at the sound.

Kim Ji-won leaned against the wall, her hands casually in her costume pockets, exuding a relaxed air after filming had ended.

But her eyes weren't smiling.

The ambiguous expression on his face made Jiang Zaixun's brow twitch.

now.

He suddenly realized that any conversation he had with a woman of similar age could be interpreted in a different way.

Even if the person is someone you once knew who also struggled at the bottom of society.

This risk of something being created out of thin air gave him a headache.

"You really can't say things like that carelessly. This young girl is just starting out and has a bright future ahead of her. A thoughtless remark can ruin her career."

Kang Jae-hoon grabbed Kim Ji-won's shoulders and twisted them, forcing her to follow him to the parking lot.
"I'll take you back."

……

at that time.

Bae Joo-hyun's gaze lingered, seemingly unnoticed, on the two figures that were gradually disappearing into the distance.

The distance has increased.

But Kim Ji-won's question, which wasn't particularly low-pitched—"Are you really not a good sister?"—drifted into my ears.

Her heart skipped a beat.

I couldn't quite hear the senior's serious response.

Then, a teammate suddenly patted him lightly on the shoulder.

"What are you looking at?"

Bae Joo-hyun suddenly snapped back to reality.

As if she had inadvertently peeked at something, she quickly closed the window. She shook her head and refocused her gaze on her teammates in front of her.

"It's nothing, let's go."

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 engine noise completely stopped.

Kang Jae-hoon tapped his fingers twice on the steering wheel, his gaze sweeping over Kim Ji-won's figure disappearing behind the building entrance. A subtle, sparked idea took shape in his mind.

There was no hesitation.

The action of pulling the phone out of the pocket had a premeditated fluidity.

The cold light from the unlocked screen illuminated a slight, deliberately exaggerated downward curve at the corner of his eye.

The chat window with Bae Suzy was still showing the backstage photos from the Fendi fashion show she sent.

The wording of the accusation had already been prepared in advance.

Three parts complaint as the base, two parts feigned magnanimity for added flavor, and finally drizzled with a layer of longing syrup. As he pressed the send button, he could even imagine Bae Suzy frowning and biting her lip on the other end of the line in Milan.

really.

The response came faster than expected.

Bae Suzy's apology was palpable, her anxiety palpable even through the screen.

This was, after all, their first birthday since they started dating.

She should have decorated it for her lover herself.

Now, separated by time zones and oceans, absence seems like a cardinal sin. A deeper unease quietly arises—will he take this opportunity to go and spend this special moment with others?
therefore.

Bae Suzy was a little flustered.

At this moment, all I wanted to do was comfort the man who was throwing a tantrum, and my words of coaxing were filled with affection.

"Oppa, is there any luxury item you'd like? I'll order it right away."

She tried to make up for that debt with material things.

The information was transmitted back.

Kang Jae-hoon silently curled the corners of his lips in the car.

The time is right.

He was well aware of the principle of "too much of a good thing," and if he continued acting like this, he might provoke the quick-witted girl into buying a plane ticket back to South Korea without thinking, and then the carefully planned "time difference" scheme would completely collapse.

He deliberately let the silence linger for a few more seconds.

The message "The other party is typing..." kept flashing at the top of the chat box. Only when I was sure my anxiety was intense enough did I type out the love confession I had already recited countless times in my heart—

What luxury item in this world can surpass yours?

Bringing myself back unharmed is the best gift I could give.

Sweet nothings, thick as syrup, could cling to any crack in reason.

The effect is immediate.

Bae Suzy was clearly pleased by the sweet words. The breathy laughter and the barely suppressed tremor in her voice message betrayed her delight at the moment.

Her promised "compensation" not only confirmed the date but also hinted at some more private temptations.

The engine roared again.

The car window reflected the profile of Kang Jae-hoon as he pressed the accelerator.

This interactive game spanning eight time zones finally came to a close amidst his orchestrated symphony of accusations and sweet talk.

It not only successfully defended the freedom that is crucial for tomorrow, but also pre-emptively provided ample tenderness and affection for the near future.

Back at my accommodation. Another matter also needed urgent attention.

After one hour.

Kang Jae-hoon drove to the corner of the agreed-upon coffee shop. On the table was a heavy, rather large cardboard box. He pushed the box on the table, and sitting opposite him was his fan site admin, Choi Ah-min.

"Please send these to my fans tomorrow as a birthday gift for me."

Choi Ah-min looked at the box with a blank expression. She opened the lid in confusion, but what she saw was not the personal magazines, autographed photos, or carefully prepared products from her own company that she had expected from Kang Jae-hoon.

The box was neatly stacked with albums—Girls' Generation's latest album!
Cui Yamin was stunned.

She knows the process of celebrating other celebrities' birthdays all too well:
Selling merchandise, holding birthday parties, accepting expensive gifts from fans, and even launching crowdfunding campaigns... the goal is clear—to make money.

This guy of mine is different; he doesn't play by the rules and is actually giving gifts to his fans.
Giving back to fans is rare, but it does happen. The key point is—

What he gave away wasn't a photobook or magazine with his own picture on it, or any other mementos related to him, but rather Girls' Generation's album?
What kind of birthday present is this?

"that……"

Cui Yamin asked cautiously:
"Aren't you going to send me some of your magazines or movie stills?"

This question hit the nail on the head regarding the part that Kang Jae-hoon found hardest to explain.

Back then, I heard Lim Yoona complaining about the pressure of her comeback, and how all the younger girl groups in the industry were going all out to "besiege" her.

He placed the order on a whim.

When the package arrived at his doorstep, he realized that the pile of albums was far too conspicuous in his home.

If Lee Sung-kyung sees this, it will be troublesome to explain.

then.

In desperation.

The "genius" idea of ​​turning a mistake into an opportunity and making use of waste was born, which led to the brilliant idea of ​​using these albums as a birthday gift to their fans.

“I was involved in this album.”

He gave vague answers, attempting to justify his unusual behavior.

Cui Yamin's eyes lit up immediately:

"Write lyrics?"

"..."

You overestimate me.

"No."

Kang Jae-hoon looked around and lowered his voice:
"I played the lion in the 'Lion Heart' music video."

"what?!"

Cui Yamin almost dropped the box, quickly hugging it tighter: "Really?"

"Shh-"

Kang Jae-hoon made a shushing gesture:
"It's good that you know about this. If their company doesn't actively market it, we shouldn't make a fuss about it."

Cui Yamin nodded, an incredulous expression still on her face. She looked down at the albums in the box and suddenly felt that the packaging had become mysterious.

Who would have thought that their own artist would secretly participate in the filming of the national girl group's music video?

"There's one more thing that must be made clear—"

Kang Jae-hoon's expression suddenly turned serious:

"—Don't let any fans send me gifts to the agency."

"what?"

Cui Yamin was stunned again:
"But birthday support—"

Kang Jae-hoon interrupted her without room for argument:
“My income is much higher than that of most fans, so I really don’t need these things.”

In fact, this is indeed the case.

An actor's lifeline ultimately depends on the quality of the script, the depth of the role, and the soul imprint etched on the big or small screen.

Compared to mountains of expensive yet cold luxury goods or generic flower gift boxes, a thin movie ticket carries a much heavier weight, conveying Kang Jae-hoon's heartfelt sentiment.

That means that audiences are willing to pay for the time and emotions he invests in his cinematic stories.

……

After dealing with the potential "crisis," Kang Jae-hoon turned the steering wheel and drove straight to the underground parking lot of MBC television station.

The moment the passenger door was opened.

The scent of peach perfume wafted in first.

Kang Jae-hoon turned his head to the side.

At that time, Yoona's stage makeup had not yet been removed—the meticulously drawn eyeliner made her lively doe eyes appear incredibly deep, and the area around her eyes was delicately tinted with light gold shimmer, which quietly sparkled as the light changed.

"Wait for a long time?"

No reply was received.

She leaned over and placed a sweet, peach-like kiss on the corner of his mouth with her soft lips.

A dragonfly touches the water.

But it was enough to ignite the embers of waiting.

Kang Jae-hoon then grabbed the back of her neck and deepened the kiss.

Their breaths lingered for a moment before finally dispersing:

"It's worth it to become a fossil for this kiss."

"Grumpy."

Yoona smiled and gave him a reproachful look, then took out an exquisitely packaged black square box from her bag and handed it to him:
"Here, a birthday present."

The ribbon was untied, and the box lid was lifted.

A perfectly proportioned Kawasaki Ninja H2 motorcycle model lay quietly on a velvet cushion.

The metallic paint flows with a cold, hard matte black, the carbon fiber texture is clearly visible, and every detail of the rivets and exhaust pipes is exquisitely crafted.

"This is no ordinary figurine."

A sly smile played on Lin Yoona's lips as her slender, white fingers rapidly pressed the buttons on the model.

Om-!
The deep, realistic sound of the engine starting suddenly exploded in the enclosed car!

Then came the sharp screeching of brake pads, followed by the furious roar of the engine, as if it were tearing the air apart!
What's even more amazing is that the ingeniously designed exhaust pipe actually sprays out two simulated white "exhaust gases"!
"!!!"

Kang Jae-hoon's astonishment caught in his throat, his pupils dilating at the wild allure of this miniature machine.

No man can resist the allure of this combination of violent aesthetics condensed into the palm of his hand.

He almost immediately switched seats with Yoona, like a boy who had received a new toy, repeatedly starting, braking, and revving the engine while holding the model in the passenger seat.

Yoona rested her chin on her hand, watching him look at her with such fondness, her lips curving into a wide smile—this is nothing.

……

Not long after.

The silver Santa Fe glides into a private parking space in the underground parking garage of the Cheongdam-dong apartment building.

The tires made a dull "thump" sound as they went over the speed bump.

Yoona turned off the engine but didn't unbuckle her seatbelt. She cleared her throat, glancing out the window at her parking space, a tense smile hidden in her voice:
"Jae-hoon, look...who parked their car in our parking space?"

Upon hearing this, Kang Jae-hoon put down his beloved item and turned to look in the direction she was pointing.

The spotlights above the parking spaces are focused with the precision of stage spotlights.

Beneath the beam of light.

A steel monster, entirely matte black with sharp, blade-like lines, lay lurking there. Its sleek, aerodynamic body, powerful engine silhouette, and gleaming exhaust pipes...

It was a scaled-up version of the small model he had just been playing with—a genuine Kawasaki Ninja H2!

"What are you doing standing still?"

Im Yoona magically pulled a key out of her bag and waved it in front of him:

"Aren't you going to take a look?"

The cool touch of the key falling into his palm made Kang Jae-hoon's Adam's apple bob.

His steps onto the motorcycle were almost pious, his fingertips brushing against the digital instrument panel as if touching a sacred object.

The moment the ignition switch was pressed, the roar of a real four-cylinder engine shattered the underground space, a hundred times more shocking than the model.

"boom--!"

The sound waves crashed against the concrete wall and bounced back, making Yoona cover her ears and take two steps back, but she couldn't hide the smugness in her eyes.

"Like it?"

Her voice was mixed in with the sound of the engine.

like?!
That word is too pale!
Kang Jae-hoon abruptly turned off the engine and dismounted from the motorcycle.

Overwhelmed by the immense surprise, he rushed over, lifted Yoona up, and spun her around.

Amidst the shifting light and shadow.

She saw a light dancing in her man's eyes that was brighter than the headlights of a motorcycle.

(End of this chapter)