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

Chapter 222 Blaming Im Yoona? Crystal: Do I look like an idiot to you?!

Two days later.

A private room in a high-end courtyard restaurant in a corner of Gangnam District.

The warm glow of bamboo lamps illuminates the meticulously prepared dining table.

The table was laden with fragrant Korean ginseng chicken soup, perfectly grilled short ribs, and exquisite seasonal side dishes.

The atmosphere seemed harmonious and warm.

Lee Sung-kyung acted as a mediator, trying her best to liven up the atmosphere by serving food and soup to Kim Mi-hye, calling her "Teacher's Wife" obediently, with a bright and sweet smile on her face.

Kim Mi-hye clearly liked Lee Sung-kyung, patting her hand and saying that she hadn't seen Sung-kyung in a long time and that she had become even more beautiful. The two chatted intimately about skincare and beauty tips.

Kang Jae-hoon sat respectfully next to Hwang Jung-min, discussing some industry news.

Tea after dinner.

The conversation gradually veered towards a crucial crossroads that would determine the future.

Kang Jae-hoon cautiously proposed the idea of ​​establishing an independent personal studio under SEM, and offered to give up 30% of the shares as a token of gratitude.

Things progressed as smoothly as Kim Dae-won had predicted.

Kim Mi-hye expressed her full understanding and support for Kang Jae-hoon's idea of ​​"going independent" and taking control of his own destiny.

It is an inevitable law for fledgling eagles to spread their wings and soar high.

Kang Jae-hoon already possessed the ability to stand on his own.

just.

She expressed clear disapproval of Kang Jae-hoon's view that he was content with merely establishing a "personal studio."

Artist management companies are essentially brokers.

At best, one could earn a commission by taking a cut between the artist and the project owner.

Even if the profit-sharing ratio is negotiated to the extreme, it is still ultimately limited by their status, with an insurmountable profit ceiling and a lack of control over resources.

develop to the end.

It's just a difference in scale; they are always subject to others and have too many limitations.

Kim Mi-hye then unveiled her even grander vision:

She hoped that Kang Jae-hoon would take a bigger step and directly acquire or establish a real film and television production company.

Then, with this production company as the main entity, it naturally expanded into an artist management department as one of its branch businesses.

"In this way, when you're negotiating projects and vying for lead roles, your own company is one of the investors and producers. Can that hold the same weight as a director of a talent agency?"

"You don't need to worry about funding. My wife will invest in your company with real money at a fair market price. Our family working together to connect the upstream and downstream is the true way to long-term success."

The vision is grand, and the blueprint is enticing!
However, the more Kang Jae-hoon listened, the more his heart sank.

Acquire a film and television production company?
How easy is this!
In South Korea, a mature market, small and medium-sized film production companies are typically valued between 50 billion and 200 billion won.

Even if he only wanted to acquire a small to medium-sized company that was just starting out but had all the necessary qualifications and a basic team, it would be wishful thinking without around 100 billion won in cash to back it up.

100 million! ?

Where is he going to get so much money?!

The sense of urgency brought about by the "Kim Ji-won factor" and the enormous pressure of the current funding gap instantly intertwined into an invisible shackle.

Those few "all-rental" apartments that are snowballing?
Even if we sold them all at the ideal price right now, we still wouldn't have enough funds!
The rental housing system itself is a huge leverage, and while assets inflate like a bubble, the actual net worth of equity is far more than the figures on paper.

not to mention.

That's a golden goose that lays the eggs; you can't just remove it from under the cauldron unless absolutely necessary.

aside.

Lee Sung-kyung glanced at Kang Jae-hoon's serious expression, assuming he was worried about money, so she gently tugged at his sleeve and softly comforted him:
"Zai Xun, your teacher's wife doesn't mean you have to acquire a company tomorrow. This can be planned slowly, we'll find a way eventually, right?"

Lee Sung-kyung is right.

Kang Jae-hoon forced himself into a desperate situation where he had to make a choice immediately.

"Master's wife's words are invaluable and far-sighted; they truly pave a bright future for Jae-hoon. Jae-hoon has learned a great deal!"

Kang Jae-hoon realized his lapse in composure and abruptly snapped out of his reverie:

"I couldn't be happier to have your support and guidance, Master's wife. The funding is difficult, but I believe that anything is possible. Please give me some time, Master's wife; I will raise the funds as quickly as possible and will certainly not let you down!"

These words both accepted Kim Mi-hye's offer of an olive branch and a promising future, while also giving himself some breathing room.

Kim Mi-hye nodded in satisfaction, and Hwang Jung-min also cast an approving glance at her.

After a hearty meal, the host and guests maintained a cheerful and relaxed demeanor.

Everything that needed to be expressed has been expressed.

What needed to be listened to has been listened to.

The meal ended in an atmosphere that seemed harmonious but was actually rife with unspoken tensions.

…………

In the car on the way back.

The black van blended into the bustling nightscape of Seoul.

Kang Jae-hoon held Lee Sung-kyung, who was dozing off on his shoulder, and looked through the car window at the bizarre, receding neon street scene. His thoughts had already flown to the abyss of "100 billion won".

Where can I get this start-up capital?
Although the master's wife said she would invest, it would be a drop in the bucket; the main source of income would have to be found by herself!

loan?

What can he mortgage?
Could it be... that we really have to take that step?
Go "accompany" a rich woman?
The thought popped into my head uncontrollably.

Both Yoona and Suzy possess enormous assets and have powerful political and business connections behind them, so they certainly have the ability to provide this money.

But... just "accompanying" one might not be enough, so do we need both...?
Jiang Zai Xun couldn't help but grit his teeth and hate inwardly:

Kim Ji-won, Kim Ji-won... If you don't repay me properly in the future, all my efforts and even my willingness to sell myself for you will have been in vain!
……

at the same time.

KBS Music Bank performance stage.

Even through the thick soundproof walls, the deafening cheers of the fans could still be felt, their powerful passion and rhythm palpable.

Kim Ji-won was squeezed in the crowd of F(x) fans, holding up a bright pearl purple fluorescent light board and waving it vigorously to the beat of the song "4 Walls".

"Soojung! Saranghaeyo!!!"

"...Krista is the best!!!"

Sudden--

"Ah! Ahh!"

Without warning, a sneeze suddenly burst out of her nose.

"..."

Kim Ji-won rubbed her nose, which was sore from the shock.

I assumed it was because I had caught a chill or inhaled dust in the crowded audience.

She never imagined that the source of this sneeze would be across most of Seoul, and that it was closely connected to a man who was currently gritting his teeth and muttering about her "huge fate".

The stage lights changed.

The dance was crisp and powerful.

This is the first time f(x) has returned to the music show stage as a four-member group.

After a long hiatus and member changes, everyone returned to the familiar stage with a do-or-die determination on their faces.

……

time flies.

All stage performances have ended.

A tense and exciting announcement: a moment has arrived.

The scores began to scroll on the big screen.

MC Park Bo-gum announced the results with a smile:

"This week's Music Bank winner is—F(X)! '4 Walls'! Congratulations!"

boom! ——

The fans cheering in the audience instantly went wild!
Krystal Jung's originally cool and aloof face first showed extreme surprise, and then her beautiful eyes quickly welled up with crystal clear tears.

Luna immediately covered her mouth with her hand, tears streaming down her face like broken pearls.

Even though Victoria Song and Amber appeared relatively restrained, their tightly clasped hands, slightly reddened eyes, and equally heaving chests revealed the turmoil in their hearts!
It has been an incredibly difficult journey.

External doubts, internal adjustments, and immense pressure... all the pent-up emotions were completely released at this moment.

This trophy was hard-won at such a crucial moment!

Encore begins.

With tears streaming down their faces and smiles they couldn't suppress, Krystal Jung and Luna finished singing "4 Walls" with choked voices.

Every "Thank You" carries deep sincerity and a sense of gratitude akin to being reborn from a calamity.

The fans at the scene sang along, their voices echoing through the sky.

After the encore, the members bowed in gratitude and slowly walked backstage.

at that time.

Kim Ji-won, with her familiarity with the KBS backstage, quickly slipped to the door of f(x)'s waiting room.

She knocked gently on the door and then poked half her head in.

Having just finished her music show performance and not yet having completely removed her stage makeup, Krystal Jung saw that familiar figure in the reflection of the mirror, and her slightly tired face instantly lit up with a look of surprise!
“Unnie?!”

Krystal Jung immediately jumped up from her chair, rushed over with a grin, opened her arms and hugged Kim Ji-won's neck tightly, affectionately resting her chin on Kim Ji-won's shoulder and rubbing it against her shoulder.

"Why are you here?! When did you get back? You didn't even tell me beforehand!"

Krystal Jung's voice was filled with joy and unreserved happiness.

Her best friend had just flown back from a film set in faraway Greece and was still jet-lagged when she came to support her. How could she not be surprised and touched by this gesture?

It's priceless!

Although Kim Ji-won felt a little guilty, she was still warmed by the girl's pure joy and hugged her back.
"Ouch, you're hugging me so tight, my makeup is going to get smudged!"

"in spite of!"

"Go back and sit down, let the makeup artist unnie finish your hair."

Krystal Jung then released her embrace, but still held onto her hand tightly.
"Unnie, wait for me a minute, let's go back together! I'll treat you to something delicious to celebrate!"

Looking at Krystal Jung's face, which was even more vibrant and lively with excitement, Kim Ji-won suppressed the complex emotions in her heart even deeper and nodded with a smile:

"Well, wait for you."

……

Krystal Jung quickly went to the dressing room to remove her stage makeup and changed into comfortable casual clothes.

She politely declined the other members' invitation to have dinner together, then pointed at Kim Ji-won to her manager and winked playfully.

"I'm going to have dinner with Ji-won, I'll go home by myself later!"

Agents are used to it.

Nod and remind him to be careful.

Avoiding the enthusiastic fans, they skillfully slipped out of the KBS building through the back door.

As the early winter night in Seoul grew colder, the two wrapped their coats tighter and stepped into an old shop deep in an alley, bathed in the dim light of the streetlights.

The store is full of lively, bustling atmosphere.

Under the warm yellow light.

The tables and chairs were a few years old, but they were polished to a shine.

The air was filled with the enticing aroma of spicy and fresh food.

After ordering their favorite spicy pork rib soup and seafood scallion pancakes, while waiting for their food, Krystal finally had time to check on her best friend's "adventures" in Greece:
"Tell me! How was Greece? Was it stressful filming with Song Joong-ki and Song Hye-kyo? Any fun stories?"

She deliberately avoided a certain name. Kim Ji-won immediately picked up the conversation, naturally downplaying the presence of the key figure:

"The scenery is absolutely stunning! The Aegean Sea is unbelievably blue... Every day after work on Zakynthos felt like living in a postcard."

"As for gossip... the biggest juicy gossip is probably about the Song-Song couple! It feels like there's definitely something going on!"

She cleverly shifted the focus to another pair of lead actors in the production.

"Song-Song couple? Senior Song Hye-kyo and oppa Song Joong-ki?!"

Krystal Jung was indeed drawn to the attention:

"real or fake?"

"Sh-!"

Kim Ji-won put her index finger to her lips and winked:

"It's almost certainly true! The atmosphere on set... wow, you know how much eye contact they had? Especially during breaks between scenes, their interactions were so sweet it was almost sickening!"

"Wow!"

Krystal's eyes widened even more:

"Do you have a photo?"

"Wait a minute..."

Kim Ji-won, as if she had expected her to ask, smugly took out her phone and unlocked it:
"I remember taking a few really great photos when we wrapped up! Outside the film set..."

Her fingers slid across the photo album.

Krystal Jung leaned closer to take a look with great interest.

Kim Ji-won rummaged through the items:

"Look! This is it... huh?"

He paused, and the smile on his face froze!

My heart skipped a beat!
As I swiped, I scrolled through several blurry photos of Song Joong-ki and Song Hye-kyo walking side-by-side in private, and the next one that popped up was—

Under Hadrian's Arch.

Center of the photo —

Kim Ji-won, dressed in a vibrant and eye-catching vacation dress, was tiptoeing slightly as she sweetly kissed the man's cheek.

This man.

It was Kang Jae-hoon.

"Wow……?"

Krystal Jung was initially drawn to the bright sunshine and scenery in the photos and exclaimed in admiration.

But when you see the subject of the photo and her heart-stoppingly intimate pose, the words of exclamation seem stuck in your throat.

She subconsciously reached out her finger and gently swiped it to the right of the image on the screen where her best friend was kissing Kang Jae-hoon—

The next one will be the result.

It's a photo of Kang Jae-hoon with his arm around her waist, the two of them smiling at each other against the same background.

Next one.

It's a selfie of Kim Ji-won snuggling in Kang Jae-hoon's arms, making a peace sign at the camera.

Time seemed to freeze at this moment.

Two seconds later.

Krystal Jung suddenly raised her head.

Kim Ji-won felt a chill run from the soles of her feet straight to the top of her head.

He forced a dry laugh that looked more like a grimace, trying to cover up his true feelings, and said:
"Ha...ha! The director told us to...test and get a feel for the role! It's from behind-the-scenes footage...you...you believe it?"

Krystal Jung remained silent.

His gaze was fixed on Kim Ji-won's face, which was filled with panic and guilt.

"I am not mentally challenged."

Done.

She slightly turned her head away, her gaze falling on the piping hot seafood soup that had just been brought to the table by the waiter and was still bubbling with heat. It seemed that the bubbling, bright red spicy bubbles were more real and reliable than the lies in front of her.

The impact of the photo was like an invisible bucket of ice water, extinguishing the warmth that had been painstakingly created in the room.

a long time.

Jung Soo-jung finally raised her beautiful eyes, which were now filled with too many complex emotions, and looked at Kim Ji-won, who was sitting uneasily opposite her:
So...you two are dating?

"……Inside."

Kim Ji-won swallowed hard and nodded in acknowledgment of this undeniable fact.

"Ah!"

A short, sharp, cold laugh escaped from Krystal Jung's nostrils:
"Kim Ji-won, you really are...my best friend!"

"One minute he was confidently telling me, 'There are 35 billion men in this world,' advising me, 'Don't hang yourself on a crooked tree,' and 'Quickly find someone else to talk to,' acting like a life coach!"

"The results of it?"

"The moment you were in bed with Kang Jae-hoon, you couldn't wait to 'personally experience' that 'crooked tree' you mentioned?"

This description is extremely harsh and contemptuous.

It directly points to the core of Kim Ji-won's "hypocrisy" and "betrayal"!

“Oppa…he’s different…”

Kim Ji-won muttered something under her breath.

Those who are favored feel confident.

These words, spoken at this moment, are not only unconvincing but also like adding fuel to the fire of anger.

really.

Krystal Jung's pupils suddenly contracted.

The hand on the table clenched instantly.

Seeing her gaze harden, Kim Ji-won dared not continue. Her overwhelming survival instinct quickly led her to find a way out:
“Krystal! Believe me! I admit, things…things did happen. But I have never betrayed you! On the contrary, I have always…always been working hard so that you and Oppa could get back together! I even…was bullied because I helped you!”

"Ah."

Krystal Jung's lips curled into a cold, mocking smile as she mercilessly retorted:
"So you worked so hard that you ended up becoming his 'new girlfriend' yourself? That's quite an ingenious and effective way to do it!"

Kim Ji-won endured the biting sarcasm, knowing that fighting back now would only cause the situation to spiral completely out of control.

I had no choice but to ignore the other person's sarcasm and continue talking, following the "bait" I had thrown out, trying to regain control of the conversation:
"The process was... somewhat tortuous..."

She vaguely glossed over the true nature of the "twists and turns" (such as when she fell to the enemy), directly pointing the finger at the outside world:
"...It's Lim Yoona! She's the one who's been sabotaging things behind your back! She's been trying to ruin your relationship with Oppa!"

Kim Ji-won deliberately emphasized the word "destruction".

"Lin Yuna?"

Upon hearing this name that she loathed so much, Jung Soo-jung's eyebrows shot up sharply!
This reaction was exactly what Kim Ji-won wanted.

Krystal Jung's dislike for Yoona has a long history.

When she was dating Kang Jae-hoon, she couldn't stand Yoona's "scheming" demeanor. Later, the estrangement caused by her older sister's departure from Girls' Generation made her feel a physical aversion to the name.

Even more annoying than Lee Sung-kyung!

Upon hearing that this older woman had actually "bullied" her former best friend (regardless of whether it was true or not), her anger flared instantly, and she immediately wanted to get to the bottom of it—

Even though her trust in Kim Ji-won had plummeted.

"What happened? Explain yourself!"

Krystal Jung leaned forward slightly, her eyes now filled with a more inquisitive look at her "enemy," in addition to the anger she had shown earlier.

Kim Ji-won knows she made the right risky move!

She immediately pulled out the "script" she had rehearsed countless times in her mind beforehand—the real events as the skeleton, and the carefully crafted flesh.

The look of grievance and innocence on her face was even more pronounced:

“Last year… after we finished filming ‘The Heirs,’ I took on the web drama ‘Good Day,’ and went to Jeju Island to film with oppa… Kang Jae-hoon…”

“Back then, Kang Jae-hoon had just broken up with you and was in a really bad state... He was so depressed and listless, and he even started smoking... I saw it and it really broke my heart... I felt so sad for you.”

"I was thinking, see if I could help you... and also help him make up for some of the losses."

Krystal Jung didn't say anything, but just looked at her coldly, signaling her to continue making things up.

"I privately analyzed the misunderstanding between you two for him... comforted him... and said, 'Little Crystal, you were probably just saying that in a fit of anger...'"

"At the most crucial moment!"

Kim Ji-won's tone became more vivid, revealing her frustration at having "fallen short":

"That old woman, Lim Yoona, somehow heard the news and found out that Kang Jae-hoon and I were filming in Jeju Island!"

"She immediately showed up under the pretext of 'visiting the set'!"

Krystal Jung clenched her fists involuntarily.

Drop by?

Is it convenient to travel from Seoul to Jeju Island?
She could easily imagine the scene of Yoona "visiting" the set—the attitude of a hostess, asserting her dominance.

"Her arrival has thrown all our plans into chaos!"

Kim Ji-won's voice trembled slightly with "excitement," and tears welled up in her eyes (partially genuine):
"She actually! She actually came to 'talk' to me!"

"On the surface, they're very polite, saying things like, 'Jae-hoon has been very tired lately, thank you for taking care of him, but you can't have any ulterior motives'..."

"But listen to this, is this even human language?!"

"Isn't this just pointing a finger at me and warning me: stay away from Kang Jae-hoon and don't try to be clever?! It's a blatant warning to me, to make me back down! Not only did it ruin my chance to help you get back together, but it also kicked me while I was down!"

Kim Ji-won, with her expressive voice and varied intonation, vividly portrayed Im Yoon-a's "overbearing" behavior on Jeju Island last year.

How to interfere?

How can a "well-intentioned" reminder actually contain a hidden threat?

How did they sever the last vestige of possibility for Krystal Jung and Kang Jae-hoon to get back together?

Every word she uttered was filled with grievance and resentment, portraying herself as a tragic hero who would "go to great lengths" for her best friend but was cruelly suppressed by "evil forces".

however.

The anticipated resonance and anger did not materialize immediately.

There was a long silence.

The atmosphere was so oppressive that even the sound of the spicy seafood soup bubbling seemed to have become quieter.

Krystal Jung slowly and methodically stirred the bright red spicy soup in the stone pot with a spoon, her movements unhurried and deliberate.

Time passed by second by second.

Every second felt like a slow, agonizing torture for Kim Ji-won.

at last.

Krystal Jung stopped stirring the soup and lifted her eyelids:

"so what?"

"Is there any necessary connection between this and you later becoming Kang Jae-hoon's girlfriend?"

"Yoona was visiting me on set in Jeju Island at the time, which prevented you from 'creating' a chance for us to get back together. I'll believe you on that point for now."

"But does this have any direct logical connection to the fact that you are his current girlfriend?"
"Or... did you fail to 'help' me despite Yoona's obstruction, and feeling it was a pity, you simply stepped in and did it yourself?"

"..."

Eh? !

Kim Ji-won's aggrieved expression and "shared hatred" froze instantly.

When did this little girl become so sharp and difficult to deal with?!
Why isn't it falling for the trap at all?!

(End of this chapter)