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

Chapter 225: Xunyun's Wedding Dominates the Screen, Cindy and PD Bai Urgently Remarry

Just like every year.

The day after the Melon Music Awards (MMA) concluded.

The media spotlight and the focus of public discussion unsurprisingly fell on the shining names and works of that night.

At the top of the trending search list.

The super popular boy group BIGBANG, who almost swept the awards, firmly dominated the screen.

A dazzling stage, top-notch production, and a terrifying dominance that lasts all year round...

Despite the many criticisms circulating about MMA's "distribution of spoils" nature.

But there is no denying it.

BIGBANG's explosive success and strong releases this year have allowed them to rightfully claim the most lucrative slices of the pie, even at a dinner party where everyone's a cut of the pie.

They won four awards: "Artist of the Year", "Popularity Award", "Top 10 of the Year", and the highly prestigious "Song of the Year".

Despite the controversy.

But more than anything, it's a well-deserved buzz—

A top-tier group exuding their full charisma.

Interestingly.

Below this group of trending topics celebrating BIGBANG's glory, another name also firmly held its place in the top ten trending topics with an extremely strong presence.

#Kang Jae-hoon and Lim Yoon-a MMA#
Click on the topic.

It was that classic "face-changing moment" last night.

[Image 1]:
Kang Jae-hoon stood steadily in the center of the stage, with the stunningly beautiful Kim Ji-won beside him.

The two were only a fist's width apart.

The photo captures his smiling expression at the end of a promotional message he gave to Kim Ji-won during the interactive segment of "Himalaya".

That fleeting glance between their eyes.

Definitely "eyes sparkling with affection" and "a perfect match like a prince and princess"!
[Image 2]:
Just as the words "Girls' Generation, congratulations!" faded and the spotlight shone brightly on the side entrance,

The same Kang Jae-hoon.

His face wore a radiant smile brimming with immense "surprise".

They couldn't wait to greet Lim Yoon-a, who had just appeared and was walking gracefully onto the stage with a smile amidst the starlight.

The two photos are so contrasting that they resemble a carefully edited clip from an absurd movie.

The comments from netizens under the picture were even more interesting and lively:
[Princess Yun'e has arrived! Everyone get out of the way.jpg]

Even the "rising male god" can't resist our Yoona's charm~

[I'm dying of laughter, sorry Kim Ji-won for a second! Kang Jae-hoon's steps are so fast I can barely see him! What does "where the heart leads, the body follows" mean? This is a living example!!!]

[A massive display of double standards! One second they're all alluringly promoting their team, the next they're transformed into warriors heading to battle?]

If this isn't love, then this is textbook-level differential treatment!

[Kang Jae-hoon, you're licking me! [Queen Yoon-e, give him a bone.gif]]

[Kim Ji-won: So I'm just part of your game, right? (Just kidding)]

[Although... the way he ran towards her was really adorable...]

Wake up, upstairs! This is lust at first sight! (But it's really sweet to ship them together.)

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.

While Kang Jae-hoon was scrolling through these trending topics and comments in his van.

He rubbed his temples with a hint of helplessness.

The planned press release for the "Carrera watch showcase" should have been a solid success, thanks to the carefully crafted photographs and brand collaboration.

But to everyone's surprise, fans and casual observers didn't buy it at all.

Netizens and the general public are clearly more interested in and more easily attracted by these "vivid moments captured with dramatic conflict".

This kind of gossip (or evidence of a romantic relationship), which is rich in human touch, has a better story and more appeal, is a thousand times more interesting and popular than cold, impersonal product displays.

The audience's instinctive preferences completely overwhelmed his and his team's business plans.

This made it clear to Kang Jae-hoon that the traffic code was never part of the plan.

But it was unexpected.

but.

To his surprise, Kim Ji-won's agency, KingKong by Starship, has remained completely silent since last night.

How beautiful was Kim Ji-won's outfit last night?
How stunning was that Dior champagne pink tulle gown?

Even a fleeting glimpse in just a few side shots was enough to make her the center of attention.

According to common sense.

This is perfect material for marketing Kim Ji-won as a "red carpet goddess" and a "new generation aesthetic icon".

Here are just one or two high-definition, meticulously edited photos.

The headline reads "Stunningly Outshines the Mysteries," and "A New Generation Shines in MMA (without mentioning Yoona, yet subtly comparing her to Yoona throughout)," followed by several fashion bloggers praising the makeup and styling...

It's easy to create a buzz.

Even if they can't immediately get beauty endorsements or fashion resources, they can at least gain some exposure and not be unknown.

The results of it?
Calm and calm.

The promotional images on social media also seemed rather ordinary.

It was like a routine procedure.

This is clearly not normal.

KingKong Entertainment went from nothing to being acquired by Kakao and has been able to stably manage more than ten artists.

Doesn't its representative understand this extremely simple way of playing?

As for why.

It's clearly not something that can be explained in just a few words.

Due to her current status (she is about to become independent but has not yet left SEM) and the background of Kim Ji-won's agency.

Kang Jae-hoon could neither force her marketing nor directly intervene.

I can only suppress my thoughts for now.

First, offer Kim Ji-won a promise of "future rewards" as a form of reassurance.

in fact.

Last night, while he was "giving his all" and trying his best to impress Yoona, he did have the idea of ​​taking the opportunity to mention the 10 billion won funding gap.

After all, this is the best time to start.

Given Yoona's financial resources and her desire to be pleased, she might relent.

however.

Just as the words were about to leave his lips, a clear-headed and cold realization gripped his throat:

If the money was paid by Lim Yoona.

Who is the real major shareholder of the film and television production company that he has high hopes for and is about to establish?
Who ultimately has the final say and the power to make decisions?
His name, Kang Jae-hoon, can probably only be listed as a "director" in business registration.

That's roughly equivalent to a high-level employee!

Then what gives him the right to do whatever he wants...?

Is Kim Ji-won being promoted?

How can we fulfill our promise to build a "safe haven" for Lee Sung-kyung?
How can we negotiate and compete with Yoona and others on an equal footing in the future?
Using a rich woman's money to support other women?
This is undoubtedly an absurd and suicidal act.

The same reason.

The same goes for Bae Suzy.

The only request that the little tyrant made was most likely that he would be by the 24-hour side to "pay off the debt"!
and so.

Asking these two wealthy women for money might seem like a shortcut, but it's actually a desperate and short-sighted solution.

But beyond that.

He had no idea how to raise those staggering billions of won.

The funds for the rental housing project are still circulating and are far from being able to withdraw huge amounts of cash.

This feeling of powerlessness made Kang Jae-hoon feel extremely irritable.

finally.

I can only suppress this anxiety for now and focus on the things I can control in the present moment.

Promotional work for Himalaya.

Let's focus on improving box office and word-of-mouth first, and stabilize our core customer base!
Perhaps a box office hit could bring an unexpected turn of events?

That's all we can hope for.

……

August 10th.

nine in the morning.

The 36th Blue Dragon Film Awards, a prestigious award in the South Korean film industry, has, as usual, released its full list of nominees on its official website and various media platforms.

The list was released.

This immediately sparked a heated discussion.

As a phenomenal success in 2015, the crime action blockbuster "Veteran," which swept the annual box office champion, leads the field with an absolute advantage of 11 nominations.

Kang Jae-hoon, with his chilling yet unforgettable portrayal of the chaebol heir "Jo Tae-oh," won the Grand Bell Award for Best New Actor and has once again been nominated for the same award at the Blue Dragon Film Awards.

Adorned with glory, shining brightly.

But those in the industry understand.

The prestige of any award depends not only on its own merits but also on who its competitors are.

This year's Blue Dragon Awards arena for Best New Actor.

It can be described as a "group of death" with the fierce competition for the 13 Blue Dragon Film Award for Best Actor.

Stars gleam, formidable enemies surround them—

They are all highly skilled, incredibly popular, or exceptionally talented; any one of them could be a rising star in Chungmuro's future.
Lee Min-ho (Gangnam 1970):

This is currently one of the most popular male stars in the Korean drama industry. He made his big-screen debut in the gangster action film "Gangnam 1970," taking on the leading role.

With its existing popularity in the horror genre and the film's inherent topicality, it's coming on strong.

Kang Ha-na (Twenty):

One of the leading actors of the new generation, and a future Baeksang Arts Awards Best Actor.

In the youth comedy "Twenty", she delivered a delicate performance full of life and texture, which was vivid, natural and highly infectious.

Choi Woo-sik ("Giant"):

One of the most promising young actors born in the 90s who has seen a rapid rise in popularity in recent years.

In Kim Tae-yong's "Giant," he plays a young man with a troubled past who struggles to survive, delivering a powerful and nuanced performance.

Park Seo-joon (The Chronicle of Malice):

The "younger male god" who rose to fame with the hit Korean drama "Kill Me Heal Me" takes on his first film role in the crime thriller "Chronicles of Evil," showcasing his impressive acting potential and excellent ability to handle the suspense genre.

An emerging force on the big screen that cannot be ignored, with an extremely rapid rise.

This is a list.

In most years, any one of them could easily win the Best Newcomer award.

Kang Jae-hoon secured his place in the nominations thanks to the twisted charm of "Jo Tae-oh" and the phenomenal box office success of "Veteran".

But who will ultimately win the prize...?

It’s really hard to say.

Kang Jae-hoon's gaze involuntarily moved upwards on the nomination list.

He was ultimately nominated for Best Actor.

Hwang Jung-min (Veteran)

"Yoo Ah-in (The Throne)"

"..."

Seeing Professor Hwang Jung-min's name prominently listed, Kang Jae-hoon's eyes no longer burned with the competitive spirit of the "Newcomer Award".

It was not a burning desire, but a burning longing.

That's the true universe!
That is the ultimate hall of fame for actors!

The glory of newcomers is dazzling, but it is only the beginning.

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 next day.

Kang Jae-hoon followed the pre-arranged schedule.

They arrived on time at the W Korea magazine's photo studio in Cheongdam-dong.

The studio was brightly lit, and the set was already set up, exuding a cool and sophisticated sense of style.

Makeup artists, hairstylists, stylists, and magazine editors surrounded him, creating a rugged and sophisticated look that matched the theme of the December issue.

Just as he changed into his first haute couture outfit, and the makeup artist's brush lightly swept across his jawline...

The staff member who had been constantly refreshing the information on their phone was suddenly bombarded with a major push notification—

The first official trailer for "Himalaya," a major production that has been in preparation for nearly a year and cost 140 billion Korean won, has been released simultaneously on major platforms!

As the main investor and issuer.

CJ Entertainment has spared no effort in its promotional efforts.

Massive resources were instantly deployed, including trending topics, splash screen ads, and press releases... a series of combined measures were quickly launched.

Among these moments, the marketing team precisely captured a segment that was highly likely to ignite a buzz—

#LimYoonaKangJaehoonWeddingInteraction#
This topic.

It can be described as a precise strike at the public's curiosity.

Almost anyone who sees this will instinctively tap it on the screen.

"wedding?"

Whose wedding?

"Lim Yoona and Kang Jae-hoon?!"

After clicking on the video and finding it was a movie trailer...

Disappointed, I exited: "...Go to hell with clickbait!"

Or they might leave comments like "That scared me to death" or "I thought they were really getting married."

more than this.

Prank people by taking screenshots of this clip, adding the caption "Shocking! Yoona and Kang Jae-hoon secretly married!" along with several explosive emojis, and forwarding them to their WeChat Moments or group chats with the caption: "Look! Your house has collapsed! (doge)"

It's in this process of being "tricked into coming in to be scammed," and then being unable to resist sharing the "fraud"...

The trailer went viral with astonishing speed!
Just two hours!

The trailer has accumulated over 600 million views on major video platforms in South Korea!
The combined discussion volume of related keywords (#Himalaya, #LimYoonaWeddingDress, #KangJaeHoonLimYoonaWeddingScenes, etc.) easily exceeded ten million!
The "keyboard warriors" are celebrating like it's New Year's Day.

One minute they were completely swooning over the MMA awards ceremony, swooning over that "heading to the destination" photo, and writing countless analyses of micro-expressions...

The main characters then held their wedding "on screen" right afterward?!
This seamless blend of sweetness is even more intense and natural than the official version!

[I hereby declare this an official announcement! An official movie announcement is an official announcement!]

[KSWL! Yesterday I was just running towards you, today I'm marrying you! The director really knows what we want to see!]

[That intense eye contact! You're telling me this is acting? I don't believe it!]

Please, please, can you two fall in love while filming?! You two are such a perfect match!

[Who understands? I was grinning like crazy during their wedding scene, and then the next second they cut to them in danger on a snowy mountain... The trailer editor knows how to weave sweetness into a bittersweet moment!]

[Double the delight! On one hand, there's an epic blockbuster with cinematic quality; on the other, a top-tier, visually stunning couple showering us with sweetness! I've already reserved my tickets!]

【…】

During a break in the photography studio.

As Kang Jae-hoon looked at the news feeds popping up on his phone and the massive amount of discussions and screenshots about the "wedding clips" on social media, he couldn't help but smile.

The expected popularity.

A large number of potential viewers have developed a clear understanding of this mysterious epic – a high-caliber cast, excellent quality, and top-notch chemistry.

this means--

The pool of people who are interested in watching this content is expanding rapidly!
A high level of attention is like a black hole, inevitably generating a strong gravitational pull.

Transform the best positive feedback into actual spending!
Pre-sale ticket rates will rise exponentially!
Pre-sale box office is the absolute indicator of cinema scheduling!
With pre-sales booming, cinemas will inevitably compete to increase the number of screenings!

Prioritize supplying screenings during prime time and in high-end theaters!

The box office share on the first day and even in the first week was firmly maintained.

By withstanding the pressure of early box office data in the media and public opinion arena, it becomes easier to trigger a snowball effect.

High number of screenings → high box office revenue → strong word-of-mouth + widespread public opinion → attracting more previously hesitant viewers → higher long-tail popularity to continuously drive up the box office... ultimately igniting the wheel of power to become the year's top-grossing film!

Almost predictable.

Himalaya is poised to firmly secure the top spot among year-end blockbuster movies!
Kang Jae-hoon had no choice but to admit it.

CJ's marketing team can only be described as having "genius marketing skills" this time!
Accurately capturing the lingering popularity of the MMA "Yoonhoon CP", the "wedding" was used as the most inflammatory sugar-coated bullet to instantly ignite the entire internet, directly maximizing the anticipation for "Himalaya"!
This keen execution and precise targeting of public sentiment are well worth the millions spent on publicity!
Think of this.

The image of Yoona in a wedding dress involuntarily popped into his mind.

At this moment...

He's probably being surrounded by curious and nosy members right now.

Especially... Choi Soo-young?
Kang Jae-hoon could almost picture that scene—

Known for her straightforward and sharp-tongued personality, Choi Soo-young will surely raise an eyebrow and chuckle when she learns that Yoona's character in the film is named "Soo-young," and pat her on the shoulder in a teasing manner.

……

however.

As the saying goes, some are happy while others are sad.

the other side.

Bae Suzy was bombarded with trending topics about "Yoonhoon's" wedding.

Her pretty face was expressionless; she simply opened the Kakao chat window with director Yeon Sang-ho and sent a seemingly ordinary greeting.

After a few pleasantries...

She seemingly unintentionally steered the conversation toward the release schedule of "Train to Busan".

When she learned that the film would not be released until next year at the earliest due to post-production and scheduling issues, a hint of disappointment flashed in her eyes.

Too late!
The day lilies are cold!

The heart-wrenching separation between her and Kang Jae-hoon in "Train to Busan" is definitely a bombshell that can evoke empathy and heated discussions.

However, Himalaya has now seized the initiative.

No! I'm happy!
Anger immediately unleashed Bae Suzy's terrifying drive!

at that time.

The APAN Star Awards ceremony is just around the corner.

Both she and Kang Jae-hoon were nominated for acting awards for their performances in "The Producers".

The timely release of articles reminiscing about "Cindy and Baek Seung-chan" combined with the upcoming awards buzz, finally managed to create a breakthrough in the grand wedding announcement of "Yoon-hoon," regaining some topicality and attention.

The DNA of countless viewers who watched the show was stirred!
"Ah! My producer CP!"

"Cindy and PDnim are the original intentions! The couple on Himalaya were just work!"

Bae Suzy: The White Moonlight Returns!

……

Compared to Bae Suzy, who can casually throw away real money to reverse public opinion, she is a "whale" (someone who spends a lot of money on in-game purchases).

Another little goldfish, lacking resources, watched the screen filled with the "Xunyun" frenzy and the quietly emerging resurgence of the "Producer CP," and could only rage in despair...

then.

Angry for a moment.

(End of this chapter)