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

Chapter 219 Filming Wrapped Up, Guest Appearance, Future Ambitions
October 29th.

On the set of "Descendants of the Sun".

Today's filming is Kang Jae-hoon and Kim Ji-won's last scene in the drama, which is also the ending for Yoon Myung-joo and Seo Dae-young, the secondary couple who went through life and death hardships.

The snow machine is working loudly, spraying large amounts of white foam particles (later replaced by real snow in CG) onto a specific area, creating a scene of exotic winter.

"Snowing?"

Yin Mingzhu murmured, her breath mingling with the white vapor she exhaled.

The soldier, played by Kim Ki-bum, stood solemnly to the side:

"Yes, Lieutenant. According to the locals, this is a once-in-a-century snowfall in Uruk."

The camera slowly pans upwards.

A vast expanse of grey and white, with countless tiny ice crystals swirling and covering the distant embers of the Mediterranean sun, enveloping the camp.

A natural miracle that happens only once in a century.

However, this adds a heavy footnote to the separation and suffering.

Yin Mingzhu walked outside in a daze, stretched out her hand, and the cold snowflakes fell into her palm and melted instantly.

Gazing at this rare snow scene in a foreign land, the worries, despair, and unspeakable sorrow that had been building up in my eyes for months poured down silently like the falling snowflakes.

Just as her tears were about to overflow—

In the misty snow, a figure so familiar it was etched into her very bones was walking towards her step by step.

It's Xu Darong!

His face was weathered, his stubble was messy, and he was still wearing that tattered combat uniform. One of his arms was in a sling across his chest, making him look disheveled.

But those eyes.

Those eyes were always calm and serene.

At this moment, it cuts through the wind and snow, locking onto her firmly.

Yin Mingzhu was instantly struck dumb.

Tears flowed even more profusely.

Xu Darong walked up to her and stopped.

The two stared at each other silently amidst the falling snowflakes, a thousand words stuck in their throats, only tears flowing freely.

next second.

Xu Darong stretched out his intact arm and suddenly pulled Yin Mingzhu into his arms, then lowered his head and kissed her lips heavily.

The kiss was a mixture of the saltiness of tears, the coldness of snowflakes, and the trembling of someone who had survived a catastrophe.

The set fell into absolute silence.

The only sounds were the faint rustling of snowflakes falling to the ground and the barely suppressed sobs of several young female staff members coming from off-camera.

behind the monitor.

Director Li Yingfu's usually tightly pursed lips were also moving silently.

a long time.

The long, suffocating kiss finally ended with a difficult separation.

Two cold, sticky tear tracks broke apart between their lips and teeth.

Xu Darong pressed his forehead firmly against hers, and before Yin Mingzhu could cry herself to death, he uttered a heavy whisper:
"...Before the explosion, my captain and I were dragged into an air-raid shelter by the militia and imprisoned for more than 150 days."

"Later, they prepared to leave, intending to eliminate us..."

A complex smile, a mixture of disbelief and extreme relief, appeared on Kang Jae-hoon's lips:

“It was Tian. He appeared miraculously...and saved us.”

(Ti'an: The North Korean agent who was let go by Yoo Si-jin on a whim at the beginning of the first episode)

"Crack!"

"..."

"Thank you for your hard work!"

Kim Ji-won was unable to immediately detach herself from Yoon Myung-joo's extreme emotions of heartbreak and ecstasy.

Just then, a warm hand silently brushed against her wet cheek.

Kim Ji-won turned her head absently and saw Kang Jae-hoon's face so close to hers—

The stubble obscured his refined features, but it made his bloodshot eyes, which were also bloodshot from the stress of the performance, stand out even more clearly.

Finished.

Her personal turn has come to an end.

Thinking about the complicated and entangled situation I would face and the grievances I might suffer after returning to Seoul.

Kim Ji-won felt a pang of sadness.

He poured all his weight and surging emotions into it without a care in the world.

She buried her head in his arms.

Jiang Zai Xun was so startled by her sudden loss of composure that he took a half-step back before regaining his balance.

In my mind, I simply assumed that she hadn't completely recovered from the bittersweet emotions she felt towards Yoon Myung-joo, coupled with the melancholy of parting after filming wrapped up:

"Alright, alright... sweetie, it's all over. From now on... from now on I'll probably see our Jiwon shedding little pearls all the time."

"……Um?"

The little figure buried in his chest uttered a question with a heavy nasal tone.

"Because Ji-won is so beautiful when she cries, it makes me want to deliberately make you cry."

This is not a complete lie.

As an actor who has seen all kinds of performances, Kang Jae-hoon's aesthetic system is...

If we're talking about the beauty of crying scenes among local actresses, Han Hyo-joo definitely ranks in the top two.

When Na Jie cries, she exudes a sense of extreme fragility yet resilience, a feeling of brokenness.

The glistening tears hanging on her eyelashes, poised to fall, could tug at your heartstrings and cause you unbearable heartache.

Kim Ji-won's tears were no less moving than Han Hyo-joo's.

She possesses a delicate and poignant beauty, like a pear blossom in the rain, her eyes revealing a pure innocence and touching sorrow that easily evokes the deepest protective instincts and... a more hidden destructive urge.

hear the words
Kim Ji-won's crying didn't stop; instead, she let out an even louder "waaaah!"

She completely misunderstood!

She thought that when Kang Jae-hoon said, "I can't help but deliberately make you cry," he meant that he would "bully" her and torment her in various ways in bed until she couldn't take it anymore and cried!
After thinking about returning to Seoul.

He might have come to me simply to seek some kind of thrill and a sense of conquest...

This realization filled her with shame and anger, and overwhelmed her with sorrow, causing her tears to flow even more fiercely.

Jiang Zai Xun held the little darling in his arms, who was crying her eyes out and couldn't be comforted no matter what he did, and was at a loss for what to do.

In private, he has plenty of ways to make her stop crying and start laughing, to kiss her, hug her, lift her up high, or even offer more "deeper" comfort.

But right now.

Dozens of eyes were watching!
Among them, countless gazes were filled with curiosity, gossip, and even a hint of reproach, as if asking, "How did Kang Jae-hoon make the little girl cry?"

In public view.

Room for maneuver?

zero!
"Oh... Ji-won..."

He could only tighten the hand that had been patting her back to comfort her, trying to convey a sense of security through his body.

"How about we don't go back tomorrow, and instead explore Athens properly?"

Hear the words.

Kim Ji-won struggled to lift her tear-streaked face from his chest, looking at him through blurry tears:
"Really?"

"real."

Their scenes were finished, but the entire production was not completely wrapped up.

Song Joong-ki and Song Hye-kyo still have a few scattered scenes to reshoot, so the entire crew will officially disband in the next day or two.

His original plan was to go back to the hotel to pack his things and leave soon, since he still had a lot of things to do in Seoul.

However, the reason for suggesting returning a day later was not entirely for Kim Ji-won's sake.

The main concern is that if Yoona or Suzy suddenly decides to go to the airport and confront someone, those two might start fighting again like they did at the cultural department last time...

The scene was too beautiful for him to even imagine.

I took a day off and accompanied Kim Ji-won on a trip to Athens. I was getting a little tired of seeing the Aegean Sea scenery.

Moreover.

Returning with the main crew, they would avoid the risk of direct conflict by refusing to greet them at the airport amidst a crowd of onlookers.

Having received his affirmative promise, Kim Ji-won hastily wiped the tears from her face with the back of her hand and mumbled an "Mmm".

Then he took out his phone.

I started seriously researching travel guides for a day trip to Athens.

It was as if the person who had just been crying so bitterly wasn't her.

As for Kang Jae-hoon...

He needed to quickly inform his three family members that he would be returning home a day later than expected.

I also wanted to sound them out and see what they were all busy with, to avoid any scheduling conflicts and unnecessary "checking up" crises.

After chatting with everyone in the group...

He then realized that he might have been overthinking things.

Even if he did go back alone early, he would most likely not encounter the chaotic scene at the airport.

Because... everyone is too busy!
On Yoona's side.

Girls' Generation is about to embark on their fourth Japan tour.

Before that, two more matches will be held in Seoul as a warm-up.

After that came a tour of Shanghai and several Southeast Asian countries, with the schedule packed full.

After a long journey.

It requires at least three months of full-time dedication.

Three months later.

The historical drama she filmed in China, "God of War Zhao Yun," is almost ready for its promotional period.

The two might not see each other for six months.

Meanwhile, Bae Suzy has been busy preparing her single, testing the market response, and laying the groundwork for the future release of her solo album. She's been incredibly busy.

Lee Sung-kyung is currently filming on the set of "Cheese in the Trap".

She was the least likely of the three to suddenly appear at the airport.

After all, she's more likely to prepare a bowl of Kang Jae-hoon's favorite seafood noodles on the table than a surprise airport visit.

……

That night.

The heavy curtains blocked out the moonlight on the island at night.

Only a dim bedside lamp remained in the room.

The sound of running water came from the bathroom.

After a while.

The bathroom door opens.

Kang Jae-hoon looked up when he heard the noise.

Kim Ji-won's fresh, peach-like appearance immediately caught my eye—

The fluffy bath towel couldn't hide her shapely figure; her cheeks were flushed pink from the steam, and her large, watery eyes gazed at him shyly, as if she wanted to say something.

Kang Jae-hoon swallowed hard, then stretched out his arm toward her.

Kim Ji-won hesitated for a moment, but still flew into his open arms like a bird returning to its nest.

The bath towel slipped to one corner.

Kang Jae-hoon's kiss landed heavily and impenetrably.

……

The next day.

Under a clear blue sky, the sun blazed fiercely.

The two embarked on a short journey to Athens.

Just as Kang Jae-hoon had previously thought to himself.

Despite being called the cradle of European civilization, the actual urban landscape is far from "developed," with many streets appearing somewhat chaotic and dilapidated.

Some areas are not even as well-organized and modern as some newly developed areas in China.

"Wow! Oppa, look! The Parthenon! Wow! It's exactly the same as in the photos!"

Kim Ji-won wore sunglasses that covered half of her small face, holding a Greek burrito she bought from a roadside stall in one hand and pointing to the magnificent yet weathered Acropolis ruins on the distant hills with the other.

They were as excited as elementary school students on their first spring outing.

They completely ignored the cracked sidewalk bricks under their feet and the peeling paint on the corners of the walls along the roadside.

See this.

Kang Jae-hoon swallowed back the words "It's really nothing special" that were on the tip of his tongue.

Perhaps the meaning of travel does not lie in the destination.

Instead, it's about who the person accompanying her is and what makes her happy.

……

Taking photos, eating and drinking became the main theme of the day.

Kim Ji-won's phone is filled with photos from all sorts of angles: in front of the stone pillars and ruins of the ancient market, under Hadrian's Arch, next to the huge golden mask of Agamemnon in the National Archaeological Museum...

Her smile was radiant and captivating.

It was as if all her worries were temporarily sealed away by the sunshine of this foreign land and the man beside her.

As they passed through a luxury boutique street near Constitution Square, Kang Jae-hoon paused, looking at the latest handbags displayed in the shop windows. He pointed with his chin to a leather goods store that was famous worldwide for its name starting with "H".

"Go in and take a look?"

The endorsement fee from Kaisheng Beer's renewed contract has just arrived.

Approximately 7000 million Korean won.

With a full wallet, one naturally has the means to "make her happy and give her whatever she wants."

"No."

Kim Ji-won shook her head reflexively.

It's not that she's pretending; she simply has very low material desires.

She usually prefers practical and simple spending, and has no obsession with luxury handbags that cost tens of millions of Korean won.

But Kang Jae-hoon was surprisingly firm on this matter.

Without a word, he put his arm around her shoulder and, half-pushing, half-carrying, led her, who looked reluctant, into the store, pointing directly to the classic, simple, and elegant design in the window:
"Please give this to her to try."

While Kim Ji-won was still muttering "Really, I don't need to...", he had already swiped his card decisively, his tone carrying an unyielding domineering air:
"A wrap-up gift, you can't refuse."

Looking at his persistent gaze, and then at the bag in her hand with its exorbitant price tag, Kim Ji-won finally sighed and whispered, "Thank you, Oppa," thus accepting this expensive "gift."

But with a mix of sweetness and guilt in her heart, she thought to herself that she would probably have to keep this bag as a precious artifact from now on.

……

My short trip to Athens ended quickly.

Another long flight.

The two snuggled together in a relatively private space to watch an old movie, their interaction so natural it was as if they had been together for a long time.

The familiar Seoul skyline came into view through the porthole, signaling the end of the brief utopian period and the imminent return to reality.

Kim Dae-won had arrived early and was waiting in the arrival hall.

Seeing Kang Jae-hoon and Kim Ji-won walk out side by side, he immediately went up to them, took the suitcase from Kang Jae-hoon's hand, and subtly glanced between the two of them, but did not ask any questions.

Kang Jae-hoon glanced around at the bustling crowd in the arrivals hall, then naturally turned his head and asked:
"Where's your agent? Didn't they come to pick you up?"

Kim Ji-won shook her head, a look of acceptance on her face:

"It's okay, I'll just take a taxi home myself."

She didn't offer much explanation, nor did she want to complain too much about the situation at her agency.

At first.

After gaining recognition in "The Heirs," Kim Ji-won chose to join KingKong (the agency of Lee Kwang-soo and Lee Dong-wook) in the hope of receiving better professional planning and resource support.

However, reality is harsh.

The person in charge of this company is not someone with top-notch strategic vision or strong influence within the industry, and their operational capabilities are relatively limited.

What's worse is that the company has a large number of artists under its management, and resources are already scarce.

In addition, the company was recently acquired and restructured, experiencing a turbulent period of management changes and business adjustments.

Female artists like her, who are not top-tier celebrities and have relatively little experience, are often left to their own devices and are not given much attention.

This was one of the main reasons why she was so moved that she offered herself to Kang Jae-hoon when he helped her get the endorsement. Kang Jae-hoon didn't have a deep understanding of Kim Ji-won's situation beforehand.

But now it's different.

Seeing with his own eyes that she didn't even have a basic agent to pick her up at the airport, his sense of responsibility and protectiveness as a man was instantly ignited—what difference is there between his woman being wronged and him being wronged?
A sudden surge of anger arose within me.

Why take a taxi?

He snatched the luggage from her hands.

"..."

Kim Ji-won sensed the displeasure and protectiveness in his tone, and her heart warmed. She obediently followed him and sat in the back seat of the van.

"address?"

Jin Dayuan, with a toothpick in his mouth, sat in the driver's seat and asked.

Kim Ji-won gave an address, located in a residential area in JB district.

Jin Dayuan deftly entered the address into the car's navigation system.

The screen lights up with a route map.

then.

This guy immediately switched to "Do Not Disturb" mode.

With his eyes fixed intently on the road ahead and the music blaring, he made himself an inconspicuous background figure.

The vehicles smoothly merged into the traffic flow on the airport expressway.

Kang Jae-hoon naturally took Kim Ji-won's small hand, which was resting on her lap, and stroked the smooth back of her hand. After a moment's hesitation, he asked:
"Ji-won... how about we switch you to a different agency? How about Management SOOP?"

This is the place that Kang Jae-hoon believes is most suitable for Kim Ji-won right now.

It has gathered a large number of top film stars such as Gong Yoo, Gong Hyo-jin, Jeon Do-yeon, and Kim Min-hee, and its resources and influence are incomparable to those of King Kong Entertainment.

Most importantly, their revenue-sharing model with artists is unique in the industry—9:1.

The artist receives 90%, while the company only takes 10% as a management fee.

Top-tier resources, industry standing, and a generous and highly competitive revenue-sharing model... it surpasses KingKong in every aspect.

however.

After hearing this, Kim Ji-won's eyes flickered with a hint of emotion. Her long eyelashes drooped as she stared at the two clasped hands, lost in thought for a moment.

In the end, he gently shook his head:
"No need for now, Oppa, let's just... leave it at that."

Her refusal stemmed from practical considerations.

She feels that her current position and experience are still quite delicate – she only has one supporting role that can be considered a breakout hit (The Heirs), and her starring role has not yet been released (Descendants of the Sun).

When you "mess around" with things, your bargaining power and room for maneuver are too limited, and you may not get the desired result.

Instead of relying on Kang Jae-hoon's personal connections to force it in (with unknown results), it's better to do so now.

Perhaps we should wait until "Descendants of the Sun" airs.

By leveraging this potentially explosive drama to enhance their own value and leverage, they can make more informed and dignified moves later, whether it's staying with their original company to secure better treatment or switching to a top-tier option like SOOP.

"alright."

Kang Jae-hoon did not force her and respected her decision.

He understands her concerns and plans.

Moreover.

I have indeed worked with several big names in SOOP—

Gong Yoo and Gong Hyo-jin are just senior and junior colleagues who have a good impression of each other. It is far from the point that they would make an exception and recommend each other, or even make SOOP accept a newcomer unconditionally because of their own reputation.

If we really need to do it.

He also has to offer substantial resources, connections, or significant favors in exchange.

but.

This incident, however, stirred up new ripples in his heart.

An extremely bold and controlling idea suddenly popped into his head, strongly impacting his thinking:

Should I... set up my own personal studio?

You should cherish your own woman!
The moment this thought arose, Kang Jae-hoon's mind was instantly opened, and countless clues began to connect and deduce automatically:

The feasibility seems extremely high!
First of all, his brokerage contract expires next March!
The timing is very close.

By then.

You could easily set up an independent personal studio under SEM, essentially a subsidiary.

They will give up a portion of the profits as a training fee to honor their master and mistress.

In exchange for independent operating rights.

Then he can legitimately sign Kim Ji-won to his company!

He allocates all resources and plans the routes, completely avoiding the risk of the brokerage firm being inactive or even dragging things down.

Let's imagine.

He personally selected scripts for her, assembled a team, and even tailored projects specifically for her...

Just thinking about this blueprint makes one feel that the future is bright.

however.

The harsh reality immediately came to mind.

First of all.

Is the master's wife willing to change the previous 50/50 split with Kang Jae-hoon to a 20/80 or even 10/90 split under the new studio model?
This is directly related to her interests.

Furthermore.

Bae Suzy's contract with JYP is also about to expire.

If this auntie knew he had opened his own studio, would she also want to join?
Then the two women will be living under the same roof...

Just thinking about that scene gave Kang Jae-hoon a headache.

"Ah……"

He silently mocked his somewhat impulsive thought, temporarily suppressing the grand yet thorny blueprint back into his heart.

……

Not long after.

The car came to a stop in front of an old, ordinary residential building in the JB district.

Kang Jae-hoon had already gotten out of the car and walked around to open the car door for her.

Kim Ji-won's movement of reaching for her seatbelt was as slow as a slow-motion scene in a movie.

The cool autumn breeze dissipated the warmth inside the car.

The wind also made Kim Ji-won feel a sense of emptiness.

"Oppa... Shall I go up now?"

"Ah."

The surrounding area was quiet, filled with the sounds of children running and laughing in the distance.

He raised his hand and brushed away a stray strand of hair that had been blown onto her cheek by the wind.

The two stood under the ginkgo tree next to the unit entrance, whose leaves were half yellow and half green.

Kim Ji-won's toes crunched on a fallen leaf on the ground. Suddenly, she looked up, her watery eyes staring straight at him.

Jiang Zai Xun immediately understood, leaned down slightly, and placed a gentle kiss on her lips.

"Go inside and get some rest. Don't forget to sign the apple juice endorsement contract."

"Um……"

Kim Ji-won nodded.

at this time.

The unit door was pushed open from the inside with a "click".

A kind-looking woman in her fifties came out carrying an eco-friendly bag.

She spotted her daughter standing under the tree at a glance, and a smile immediately spread across her face:
"Aigoo! Our Jiwon..."

Before he finished speaking, his eyes lingered for a moment on Jiang Zaixun's highly recognizable handsome face, then fell on his daughter's exceptionally moist lips.

The air froze for a fraction of a second.

Mrs. Jin's smile remained unchanged as she knowingly continued the interrupted small talk, feigning ignorance:

"...And who is this...?"

Kim Ji-won's face flushed red from her cheeks to her ears, and even her slender white neck turned pink.

She nearly jumped back from Kang Jae-hoon in a panic, her voice stammering:

“Mom…this, this is my…my colleague from the film crew, Kang Jae-hoon. He…he gave me a ride home.” She quickly turned to Kang Jae-hoon, her voice barely audible, “This, this is my mother.”

Kang Jae-hoon felt a thin layer of sweat instantly break out on his back.

So you went straight to meeting the parents?
And at this crucial moment when their intimate actions were caught?!

But he is an actor who has experienced big scenes, and his adjustment speed is amazing.

The momentary stiffness and surprise on her face vanished instantly, replaced by a smile more perfect and approachable than any magazine cover, and she solemnly gave a standard 90-degree bow in greeting:
"Hello, Auntie, I'm Jiang Zaixun. It's nice to meet you, I apologize for bothering you."

Mrs. Jin's smile deepened.

Of course she recognized the face that frequently appeared on billboards featuring celebrity endorsements.

"He looks even more handsome and energetic than he does on TV," she thought to herself.

"Oh~ so you're a colleague from our Ji-won drama crew."

Kim's mother spoke kindly, but her knowing smile made Kang Jae-hoon feel an invisible pressure.

"Thank you for bringing my Ji-won back. Would you like to come upstairs for a bit? I'm going to buy some groceries to make lunch, so we can have a simple meal together?"

"Auntie, you're too kind!"

Kang Jae-hoon quickly straightened up, maintaining a polite, apologetic smile, his tone sincere yet tactful:
"I have to rush to another film set to visit my teacher later, so I really don't have enough time. I will definitely make a special trip to visit him next time."

Kim's mother clearly understands the busy schedule of celebrities, and given that it was their first meeting, it was indeed not appropriate to insist that they stay.

"It's alright, it's alright, work is important! It's good for young people to focus on their careers! Well... next time you have the chance, you must come to my house and try my cooking!"

Kang Jae-hoon's back tensed again, but his expression remained impassive as he bowed once more.

"Definitely! It's my honor to be invited by you, Auntie!"

"..."

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Jiang Zaihun bowed again to say goodbye and turned to walk quickly toward the waiting van.

I watched as the black car slowly drove away from the alley entrance.

Only after she had completely disappeared from sight did Jin's mother look away and affectionately pat her daughter's head.
"Our Ji-won is so successful! She got such a handsome boyfriend and didn't even tell her mom beforehand?"

"Mom~!"

Kim Ji-won stomped her foot in embarrassment, her cheeks turning even redder, and tried to change the subject by taking her mother's arm:
"Come on, come on, aren't we going to buy groceries? I'll go with you!"

"Okay, okay, let's go grocery shopping."

Mrs. Jin smiled and agreed, letting her daughter drag her along, but she didn't forget to continue asking questions:

"But... tell Mom quietly, how did you meet? How long have you been dating? Is he good to you?"

Kim Ji-won: “…”

She could only bury her face in her mother's shoulder and make meaningless humming noises, trying to get away with it.

……

the other side.

Kang Jae-hoon leaned back in the back seat of the van, watching the city skyline rush past the window—gradually transitioning from the somewhat dilapidated Jiangbei residential area to the high-rise commercial district.

The stark contrast further highlighted what had just been seen.

The unit entrance has an old stair railing...

The supermarket plastic bag that Kim Ji-won's mother is carrying...

Scenes replayed in my mind.

A thought gradually and clearly rose in his mind:
Perhaps... we should get her a house?
Like the apartment prepared for Lee Sung-kyung in Yongsan District, it should be a high-end apartment in a better location, with a quieter environment, strict property management, and strong privacy.

It's so inconvenient to always have her stay at her parents' house.

This is "inconvenient".

This clearly refers to more than just Kim Ji-won's privacy and comfort in her daily life.

It also includes Kang Jae-hoon's own need for highly discreet "visits" in the future.

……

The black van drove through the increasingly bustling street scene and finally entered a closed film set area.

This is the filming location for the movie "Asura".

Kang Jae-hoon's primary purpose for this trip was naturally to visit his mentor Hwang Jung-min, whom he hadn't seen in a long time; he really did have a strange feeling about it.

Second.

I also plan to take this opportunity to discuss with my teacher some performance details and character understanding in the script of the upcoming TV series "The Prosecutor's Chronicle".

but now.

He now had another task in mind that required careful probing—

To ascertain Huang Zhengmin's true attitude toward the possibility of establishing his own studio after his contract expires.

Upon arrival.

The scene being filmed is one of the final, major scenes.

Kang Jae-hoon stood silently on the periphery, his gaze immediately drawn to the performance in the center of the arena—

Mayor Park Sung-bae, played by Hwang Jung-min, is seen holding a gleaming machete, his face displaying an expression of extreme madness and ruthlessness, as he is about to cut off his own arm in public!
Meanwhile, the prosecutor Kim Cha-in, played by Kwak Do-won, had long lost his usual dignity and composure.

Kneeling on the ground, tears streaming down her face, she clung tightly to Hwang Jung-min's legs with both hands, wailing and begging in a hoarse voice, even shouting, "I'm willing to be your dog!"—utterly abandoning her dignity.

This scene has an extremely strong visual impact!
Although Kang Jae-hoon did not fully understand the specific causes and consequences of the plot.

But through Guo Daoyuan's utterly broken performance.

He perfectly envisioned Mayor Park Sung-bae as a "madman" in his mind.

After all, a prosecutor who holds a high position and represents the state's judicial power could be forced to such a humble and subservient position. This vividly highlights just how ruthless Mayor Park Sung-bae, played by Hwang Jung-min, truly is.

at this time.

Director Kim Sung-soo, behind the monitor, inadvertently glanced around the perimeter.

They happened to see Kang Jae-hoon watching the film set with a focused, even somewhat shocked, expression.

The director raised an eyebrow, and almost instantly had an idea. He immediately beckoned to the assistant director and whispered a few instructions.

The assistant director quickly ran to Kang Jae-hoon and conveyed the director's invitation.

Upon hearing this, Kang Jae-hoon immediately composed himself, jogged over to the director's monitor, and bowed respectfully in greeting.
"Good director."

Director Kim Sung-soo didn't mince words with him, getting straight to the point by gesturing with his chin towards the film set:

"You happen to have some free time? How about a cameo role? Just a few scenes."

Kang Jae-hoon didn't even ask what role it was before nodding in agreement without hesitation:

"Sure, director, no problem."

To leave a good impression on a director of Kim Sung-soo's caliber, even a cameo role would be an opportunity one would greatly desire.

However, after agreeing, a sense of curiosity arose in his heart: the movie is almost finished filming, what kind of role could possibly need to be temporarily played?
Director Kim Sung-soo was very satisfied with his decisiveness, and he called out to the person next to him:
"Styling team! Take him there!"

A staff member ran over:

"Kang Jae-hoon-ssi, please come with me."

Kang Jae-hoon followed him toward the dressing room, completely bewildered.

until……

When he felt something hard and oddly shaped being put over his head and then sprayed with a lot of hairspray, he had a vague feeling that something was wrong.

then.

He opened his eyes.

A head appeared in the mirror, topped with a cheap, tacky wig that was as thick as a pot lid.

The makeup artist smeared black and yellow paint all over his face, trying to create a rough, weathered look; the costume designer handed him a cheap synthetic shirt with highly saturated colors and a tacky floral print...

Kang Jae-hoon stared in the mirror at himself, his pupils dilating in shock as he transformed from a handsome city guy into a country thug in an instant.

"...Um...I had a cameo role, could it be...?"

The stylist tried hard to suppress a laugh and nodded.

"Yes! It's... the Yanbian F4, the assassins hired by Mayor Park."

"..."

A feeling of absurdity and amusement welled up inside me.

But more than anything, it's a sense of eager anticipation and a desire to take on the challenge.

Jiang Zaihun grinned at himself in the mirror, trying hard to capture the feeling of that "ruthless man from Yanbian".

(End of this chapter)