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

Chapter 231 The kissing maniac kissed again!

A cold front swept across the entire island in early December.

Despite the howling north wind, the crew of "A Violent Prosecutor" held a low-key opening ceremony at the Iksan Prison studio in Iksan, Jeollabuk-do.

This massive and highly detailed prison soundstage is a unique landmark within the Peninsula Film and Television Industry.

Produced in 2006 as a collaboration between the local government and a film company, the initial intention was to create new value from abandoned sites. Unexpectedly, it has become a go-to venue for prison dramas over the past decade.

Since 06, more than 200 films featuring prison scenes have been shot here!
said with no exaggeration.

The scenes of Peninsula Prison that you see on the big screen or small screen are almost always imbued with the shadow of this film studio, with its brick walls and iron bars.

Famous films such as "The Gamblers" depicting the ups and downs of gamblers, "Miracle in Cell No. 7" portraying a heart-wrenching father-daughter relationship, and "Signal" featuring a dialogue that transcends time and space... all revolve around this "cage of light and shadow" that has been repeatedly trampled upon.

The opening ceremony was simple yet full of energy.

After director Li Rijiong led the main cast in offering incense and prayers, everyone wrapped themselves in the heavy down jackets provided by the production team and hurriedly finished taking their costume photos in the cold wind.

In the screen:
Kang Jae-hoon, dressed in a tacky blue prison uniform, with a cynical smile on his lips, plays Han Ji-won, a "pretty boy conman" with nine prior convictions who thrives in prison.

On the other side is Hwang Jung-min, also dressed in prison clothes, with sharp eyes and a wounded temple, looking "down on his luck".

Full of contrast.

The first scene after filming began.

The scene filmed was the prosecutor, played by Hwang Jung-min, entering prison for the first time.

Kang Jae-hoon, wrapped in a long down jacket that could be used as a blanket, with the zipper reaching his chin, quietly squatted on a small stool next to the monitor to watch.

Hwang Jung-min truly lives up to his reputation as a movie star; he quickly got into character.

When he first entered the unfamiliar and cruel environment, the forced composure mixed with the bewilderment and humiliation that he could not hide between his brows was precisely conveyed by his subtle facial expressions and slightly stiff body language.

The plot is not complicated:

The wrongly convicted prosecutor meets Han Chi-won, a highly intelligent and well-connected con man who has served nine prison terms and is practically a living map of the prison, while in prison.

A crime that needs to be cleared.

One needs to leverage the knowledge and social resources of prosecutors to achieve a certain goal.

Two people on the verge of disaster team up and stage a high-IQ "Avengers" showdown behind bars.

The character "Han Ji-won" played by Kang Jae-hoon is by no means a simple handsome conman, but rather the most glamorous "chameleon" in the entire movie.

He was in prison at the beginning.

He needs to play a slick, mercenary, and cunning "scoundrel" who navigates between prison guards and prisoners with ease, relying on his cleverness.

As the plot unfolds, it will undergo a series of transformations:

Donning the arrogance of a rogue, the sanctimonious air of a politician, and even the "righteous indignation" of a prosecutor... switching between multiple identities.

Each identity requires Kang Jae-hoon to accurately capture its core essence.

This is not only an extreme challenge to the breadth of acting skills, but also a way to prove to the market one's strong versatility.

however.

Squatting in the chilly corner of the studio, watching the teacher's effortless performance on the monitor, Jiang Zaixun felt a sense of... indescribable confusion.

past.

He is a typical experientialist.

To get closer to a character, one can spend months observing, imitating, or even briefly becoming "that person"—whether it's interning at a real estate agency or studying the demeanor of a chaebol.

This method allows him to create characters that are full of vivid details and powerful persuasiveness.

But now.

His popularity exploded, endorsements poured in, and he was constantly busy with events.

His tightly packed schedule was like a tight band, leaving him no room to spend months in prison to observe (not to mention that reality wouldn't allow it) and experience different social classes for the sake of the role of "Han Chiyuan".

Their performance style and approach have to be transformed.

The methodology approach is the only way forward.

Just like Professor Huang Zhengmin in front of me—

He handled the prison scene with ease, applying his accumulated acting experience and formulaic emotional manipulation techniques with precision and efficiency!
This is the advantage of the methodological approach:
Stable output, saving time and costs.

Hwang Jung-min has been a workaholic in the past two years, producing a string of excellent works and being hailed by the media and the market as a "box office miracle."

But upon closer examination, one can discern some flavor:
Jung Chung in "New World," Deok-soo in "Ode to My Father," Seo Do-cheol in "Veteran," and now Byun Jae-wook in "A Violent Prosecutor"...

Although they differ greatly in identity, status, and background.

Yet their inherent stubbornness, the wolf-like gaze that erupts when pushed to the brink, and their signature body language that is like a volcanic eruption... all bear a striking resemblance.

This is a performance within the framework of commercial success, a performance that has been validated countless times by the market—

Consistent output, highly engaging, and well-received by audiences (and the market)!
but……

What about the breakthrough in the performance?

What about that sense of surprise from breaking free from one's own inertia and creating a completely different soul character?
It seems... that we've been stranded on distant, shallow shores by busyness and efficiency.

This has nothing to do with talent or ability.

It's purely an inevitable conflict between commerce and art.

No matter who spends 365 days a year rushing from one film to another, their packed commercial schedules leaving them no time to breathe or reflect...

Can it also meticulously refine and seek out the differences and breakthroughs deep within the soul of each character?
That's an extravagant artistic dream!

High efficiency, high output, and stable delivery have become the only way to maintain its top commercial value.

Adventure and the ultimate in art.

They then have no choice but to make concessions and compromises to meet market demands.

……

Just as Kang Jae-hoon was intently observing Hwang Jung-min's meticulous performance on the monitor, immersed in thoughts about the path of acting, he was suddenly tapped lightly on the shoulder.

Turn around and look.

But standing behind him was none other than Lee Sung-min, who had recently defeated him at the APAN Drama Awards for his role in "Misaeng" and ultimately won the Best Actor Award for a Mid-Length Drama.

In "A Violent Prosecutor," Lee Sung-min plays a significant role.

Byun Jae-wook's boss, a master of political maneuvering, capable of turning the world upside down with a flick of the wrist, and a cunning villain with a smile that hides a sharp edge.

Speaking of Lee Sung-min's experience, it is a living example of "late bloomer" inspiration in the Korean entertainment industry.

Like many old-school Chungmuro ​​actors.

He too was forged into a tough character on the iron-blooded theatrical stage.

After struggling for twenty years in the theater world, facing both boos and applause from the audience, he finally won the highest honor for a theater actor in South Korea—the Korea Theater Association Grand Prize!
With this "basic skills certification," he truly began to pursue his dream in the "entertainment industry," which is dominated by cameras and capital.

The beginning of the journey was naturally as cold as any cold bench.

He experienced countless years as an extra, a supporting actor, and even a "passerby" whose features were blurred on camera... He has tasted all of these deeply.

until……

The turning point that could be written into the textbook of Chungmuro ​​actors has arrived:

In the movie "The Attorney".

Under the almost ferocious aura of "God of Acting" Song Kang-ho, Lee Sung-min managed to hold his ground with his solid skills and explosive power.

Far from becoming mere background figures, they sparked a lively debate, showcasing a different kind of evenly matched contest to the audience.

Just based on the stunning presentation of this short scene—

He broke free from the label of "extra" and officially broke through the heavy door of the mainstream film industry.

The rest of the story is well-known.

He also soared in the television drama field, winning the Baeksang Arts Awards for Best Actor, the highest honor in the television drama industry.

now.

He is riding this wave of accumulated experience and is continuing his assault on the highest honors in the film industry.

At this moment, Li Xingmin did not put on any airs of a senior.

Instead, he seemed like a kind and approachable old neighbor, smiling as he looked at Kang Jae-hoon, who was curled up on a small stool.

Upon seeing this, Kang Jae-hoon instinctively wanted to stand up immediately to show respect.
"Senior, please have a seat..."

Li Xingmin casually waved his hand, his gesture as natural as if the two were old friends who had known each other for a long time:

"Hey, sit down, sit down, don't get up."

Say it.

He naturally found an unused small stool and sat down next to Kang Jae-hoon without any hesitation.

The two exchanged knowing glances and refocused their gazes on the monitor screen.

The humiliation depicted in the images continues to fester.

Hwang Jung-min plays prosecutor Byun Jae-wook, who is being "friendly" greeted by several "seniors" he personally sent to prison.

The close-up shot was fixed on Hwang Jung-min's face—

His eyes were bloodshot from extreme anger, but his facial muscles were stretched to their limit by the excruciating pain and the imposed humiliation.

The hard, rock-like lines of the jaw when clenching the back teeth, and the violent bobbing of the Adam's apple as it desperately swallows the surging humiliation and anger, all convey a silent, explosive feeling that almost bursts through the screen.

"...You acted so well."

Li Xingmin stared at the screen and sighed sincerely.

"The seniors are not to be outdone."

Out of habit, Kang Jae-hoon responded politely, his gaze remaining focused on the screen as he studied that highly concentrated way of expressing emotions.
“Your character is clearly a much more difficult boss to portray, as you can tell from the script.”

"Ah."

A gentle chuckle escaped from Li Xingmin's nostrils.

He turned slightly to the side once more:

"When I first saw you, you looked like a tender sprout that had been hit by frost. Were you having some trouble understanding the character?"

Kang Jae-hoon felt a slight chill run down his spine.

really.

The Baeksang Arts Awards Best Actor winner's observational skills are truly exceptional.

"...I was probably just engrossed in watching. Thank you for your concern, senior."

Kang Jae-hoon is indeed currently experiencing some confusion regarding his career path.

But this doesn't mean you'd reveal everything to a senior colleague you're not familiar with and are only working with for the first time.

They don't easily reveal their inner struggles to outsiders.

It's not just caution and a sense of boundaries at play; it's also because this confusion involves a change in his core competency as an actor.

not to mention.

The person Kang Jae-hoon truly longed for and trusted most to confide in was naturally his mentor, Hwang Jung-min, who had guided him and understood his acting career.

Only there.

Only then can he receive targeted advice that both deeply understands his past and guides his future.

in fact.

Old-school actors like Li Xingmin, who have spent decades honing their craft on the stage, often harbor an innate tendency to be a teacher.

I saw a promising young talent who was talented, hardworking, and whose eyes shone with a thirst for knowledge.

I always want to offer a word or two of advice, to point out the direction.

It shows that they cherish talent.

It also reflects the expectation that art will be passed down from generation to generation.

However, Li Xingmin also knew his limits.

Since the other party declined at this moment, he immediately suppressed his hidden desire to teach and focused all his attention on the superb performance that Hwang Jung-min was putting on.

It was as if what had just happened was just a casual remark.

……

"Cut! Great! Actors, take a break! Lighting crew, prepare for the next scene!"

Hear the words.

Kang Jae-hoon immediately snapped out of his thoughts.

Grabbing the hand warmer that Lee Sung-kyung had prepared for him, he rushed over in a few quick steps and respectfully handed it to Hwang Jung-min, who had just stood up and was still moving his limbs.

"teacher."

"Ok?"

Hwang Jung-min looked up at Kang Jae-hoon's hesitant expression and asked, "What's wrong? Go ahead and say it."

See this.

Jiang Zai Xun simply and concisely expressed the confusion that had been churning in his heart, as well as the unspoken worries he had about senior Li Xingmin.

There was no excessive emotional embellishment; the current situation and the confusion were simply clearly stated.

Huang Zhengmin listened quietly.

One hand was tucked inside a hand warmer.

With his other hand, he skillfully pulled a cigarette case from the pocket of the down jacket he had just put on.

Take out one and light it.

After Kang Jae-hoon finished speaking, he slowly exhaled a smoke ring:
"You're overthinking it."

"Who told you that the experiential learning approach and the method approach have to be clearly divided, like it's a life-or-death struggle?"

There were no lengthy explanations, only incisive observations.

"A good actor always uses whatever is readily available in their toolbox! Your problem now is that you don't have enough time to take your time and produce fine work like before, so first set up the framework of the Method School!"

Hwang Jung-min extended three fingers from the hand warmer:

"First, stop thinking about 'becoming' him and learn to 'play' him. Pile all the feelings you've observed and noted down in your notebook about all sorts of people and crooked ways onto this 'Han Chiyuan'."

"Second, find the anchor point! No time to experience nine prison sentences? Then find the core emotion. What is the core of 'Han Chiyuan'? It is intelligence, and an extreme ability to use the environment and rules. Grasp this 'core,' and all expressions, actions, and tones will revolve around this core."

"Third, design external symbols! Touching his ear means scheming, a crooked smile means contempt, and rapid tapping of his fingers means his brain is working at high speed... Design a few small gestures for him, use them repeatedly, and let the audience remember that these are the symbols of 'Han Chiyuan'. This is the efficiency of the method school! First, grasp the form accurately, and then perform it well. The soul of the character will naturally grow out of the form!"

The brief instruction, lasting only a few dozen seconds, was like a sudden enlightenment.

At that time, the entanglements of Jiang Zai Xun's previous artistic youth were swept away, replaced by clarity and sharpness.

"I understand, teacher!"

He didn't even have time to express his gratitude in words, he simply bowed deeply to Hwang Jung-min.

then.

Turn around immediately.

Walk to the mirror in the corner of the photography studio, which is used to check the makeup and hair and the final effect.

Looking in the mirror.

No longer trying to "be" anyone.

Instead, they began to calmly "assemble" and "adjust" Han Chiyuan.

Draw upon fragments of images from your memory bank, and experiment with different smile curves, the calculating weight in your eyes, and the tension or looseness of your body language.

……

Until nearly dusk in the afternoon.

Finally, it was Han Ji-won, played by Kang Jae-hoon, who appeared on set for filming.

this play.

This is Han Chi-won's first appearance in the entire film. A character's first appearance usually carries the important responsibility of setting the core tone for the character.

The goal is to "draw" the outline and essence of the character's soul to the audience within a limited number of shots.

Who is he?
What kind of person is he?
How did he survive in the dark forest?
The scene Kang Jae-hoon is about to film is a textbook example of character introduction:

Han Chiyuan, who had been arrested, was imprisoned for the tenth time. A naive girl, who had been completely deceived by his sweet words and carefully designed "romantic traps," traveled a long distance to visit him in prison with a heart swollen from tears.

On this stage, Kang Jae-hoon (Han Ji-won) will perform a cruel yet exquisite act of emotional manipulation.

Not long after.

The stage crew adjusted the lighting and set design.

The young actress playing the naive and innocent ex-girlfriend is also in place, her eyes maintaining the loyalty and blind devotion that comes from being deeply manipulated.

Kang Jae-hoon stood at the designated entrance and took a deep breath.

I've been in the industry for over two years.

The long-lost sense of pressure and tension quietly crept into my heart.

The tension is different from acting with a movie star.

This is a character portrayed using a new performance style, and is about to face the pressure of being judged by the "audience".

"Attention all units!"

"Prison scene in 'The Prosecutor's Chronicle,' Scene 6, Shot 1, First take!"

"Snapped!"

The crisp sound of the clapper breaking the brief silence.

"Action!"

Kang Jae-hoon instantly switched himself into "Han Chi-won" mode.

With a slightly hunched back, he followed the extra playing a prison guard, walking slowly into the visiting room.

opposite.

The actress playing the naive and innocent ex-girlfriend's eyes lit up instantly. She immediately picked up the phone and held it to her ear, looking at him with a mixture of joy and worry.

Han Ji-won, played by Kang Jae-hoon, quickly glanced at her, his eyes flickering. He then subconsciously touched his earlobe, showing some hesitation and "unease," before slowly sitting down.

Seeing that he remained silent with his head down after sitting down, the girl grew anxious. She quickly pointed urgently at the phone next to him through the glass with her long, slender fingers, her lips moving in a mouthful of words:

"Oppa! The phone! Answer the phone!"

It was only then that Han Ji-won, played by Kang Jae-hoon, seemed to be "reminded".

The action of reaching for the phone was like a slow-motion scene in a movie—the fingers stretched out, paused, trembled slightly, and then slowly gripped the receiver.

Every slight delay conveys a sense of self-reproach.

The moment the receiver was finally picked up and brought close to the ear, the girl's joyful and concerned voice immediately came through:

"Oppa, are you alright? Are you hurt? Has anyone bullied you?"

however.

The response to her fervent concern was a chilling, lifeless three-word reply from the other end of the line:

"who are you?"

The girl was instantly stunned.

The smile on his face froze, and his eyes plummeted from ecstasy to a state of utter bewilderment.

"Oppa? What are you talking about?"

She suspected she had misheard, or that the noise from the prison was interfering with the signal.

"Can't you understand human speech?"

Kang Jae-hoon's voice suddenly became even sharper.

He finally raised his head, but his face remained a poker face, keeping everyone at arm's length.

"I'm a complete scumbag, I don't deserve a girl as good as you! It's all over. Don't come looking for me again. Forget about me."

Say it.

The girl wasn't given any time to process or refute the argument.

He hung up the phone decisively, with the speed completely opposite to when he answered it.

then.

Without hesitation, he stood up, as if to leave.

The instant he turned his back to the girl—

Kang Jae-hoon, playing Han Ji-won, paused slightly, subtly turning his head to give the girl across the glass a "deeply affectionate look back"—

Those eyes, which had just been filled with indifference, now held an intense, overwhelming sadness, helplessness, and reluctance!

It was as if his coldness just now was out of necessity.

The moment she turned away revealed her truest pain.

This dramatic glance back completely shattered the girl's last line of defense!
She abruptly stood up from her chair, disregarding her image, and rushed to the cold glass partition, clenching her fists and pounding on the thick glass.

"Oppa! Don't go! Please don't go!"

Hearing the loud banging and tearful cries behind him, Kang Jae-hoon, who had already reached the door, stopped abruptly with his back to the camera.

one second...

Two seconds...

three seconds...

His frozen back seemed to indicate a tremendous internal struggle.

finally--

He turned back very slowly.

This time.

It's no longer a heartbreaking fleeting glance.

Those eyes, which had been filled with coldness and aloofness not long ago... were now brimming with tears.

The glistening teardrops, like morning dew, clung to the tips of the grass, trembling as if about to fall.

His chest heaved.

It was as if he was forcibly suppressing some intense emotion.

When I picked up the phone again and put it to my ear.

The voice was no longer cold and distant, but filled with resolute self-reproach:
"fool……"

He extended his left hand, which wasn't holding the phone, and pointed through the glass at the girl's tear-smeared makeup:

"Listen to your own voice... Look at yourself crying for someone like me... Is it worth it?"

Followed by.

A visually striking action—

The empty hand suddenly gripped the collar of the cheap prison uniform he was wearing.

"Let's go back!"

“My world consists only of this birdcage and this… ‘glorious’ prison uniform! You deserve a better life…”

"Do not--!!!"

Seeing that he was about to remove the receiver from her ear and hang up, the girl cried out loudly, disregarding everything else:

"I can accept everything about Oppa! Past, present, and future!"

"Really! Oppa! Don't worry about home!"

“My…my dad! He promised me he would buy me a new house! Right…right in Sinsa-dong! When you come out…we…we'll go live there! We…can we start over?”

The close-up shot focused on Kang Jae-hoon.

The moment those tear-filled eyes heard the words "new house," a primal, ecstatic joy shone through them.

however.

His martial arts skills, which allowed him to suppress his emotions, had reached a state of perfection.

The ecstasy was only briefly rippled before it was forcibly transformed into an overwhelming shock, a feeling of being utterly overwhelmed by this "profound love and beautiful promise."

The consequence is—

The tears that had been stubbornly held back in her eyes could no longer bear the weight of her emotions... and finally rolled straight down from the corners of her eyes.

Simultaneously.

He lowered his head deeply.

He let out a long, complex sigh.

however.

This affectionate imagery, enough to fool both God's-eye view and emotion-detecting radar, continues unabated.

The index finger of his right hand, which was holding the telephone receiver, began to frantically tap on the brown plastic handle of the phone.

next second.

The sigh ends.

Kang Jae-hoon suddenly looked up.

The tear stains were still there, but the eyes that had been washed by tears shone with an extraordinary brightness.

He pressed his entire upper body against the glass partition, placing his palm on the spot where the girl had just patted him.

Her expression was incredibly pure.

then.

He made a move that made everyone on set's heart skip a beat—

With utmost affection, he pressed his lips against the cold glass, offering the girl a solemn kiss from afar.

"I love you."

"..."

"...Cut!"

Han Chiyuan's character is essentially an emotional predator who has "deception" etched into his very bones.

His prey is not just money and material possessions; manipulating people's hearts and enjoying the pleasure of controlling others' emotions is the ultimate manifestation of his distorted values.

Kang Jae-hoon was not entirely confident about his first methodological practice.

Did he convey the scheming beneath Han Chiyuan's feigned affection clearly enough?

therefore.

The moment the director yelled "Cut," he turned to look at the monitor.

Eyes locked on.

Suddenly, their teacher, Huang Zhengmin, strolled over to the monitor and stood there with his arms crossed, staring intently at the replay screen with great interest.

The upward curve of his lips showed his satisfaction with his apprentice's quick comprehension and efficient execution.

Kang Jae-hoon felt much more at ease.

The stagehand quickly stepped forward and untied the restraints on his wrists.

He couldn't wait to grab the down jacket and slipped it on as deftly as a worm wrapping itself tightly in its cocoon.

then.

Three steps followed by two steps.

I quickly slipped to the viewing area behind the director and teachers, holding my breath like a student waiting for their report card.

The monitor footage replayed the dramatic emotional trap that had just unfolded.

Director Lee Il-hyung ran his fingers along his slightly stubbled chin, his sharp eyes scanning every detail.

After a while.

Only when that final, passionate kiss through the glass was captured did he sit up straight, satisfied.

I searched all over but couldn't find anyone.

Then, from behind, they discovered Kang Jae-hoon, who was wrapped up like a ball with only half his face showing.

Li Rijiong couldn't help but chuckle and waved to him:

"Um... Jae-hoon."

Kang Jae-hoon quickly stepped closer: "Director-nim?"

Lee Il-hyung pointed directly to the scene on the screen where they kissed through the glass:

How did you come up with the idea of ​​a 'glass kiss'?

Kang Jae-hoon seemed a little embarrassed by the question:
"Uh... well... actually, when I was acting out that scene, I felt that Han Chiyuan should do that in that situation."

"Come on!"

A familiar laugh mercilessly shattered the atmosphere of artistic discussion that had just been created.

It's Hwang Jung-min.

He glanced sideways at his "honest and simple" apprentice and uttered a startling remark:
"This kid—he's a total kissing maniac!"

"what?"

The entire monitoring area fell silent instantly.

Everyone raised their Bagua radar.

Huang Zhengmin stretched out his fingers and began to meticulously examine the "evidence" as if counting his treasures:
"Go look at his resume yourselves! He kissed in 'The Heirs,' he kissed in 'Veteran,' he kissed in 'Himalaya'... From his debut until now, is there a single film without a kissing scene?! Even if there isn't one, he'll find a way to persuade the screenwriter to add it!"

Jiang Jae-hoon: “…”

He felt a burning sensation on his face, but it was hidden by the high collar of his down jacket.

She opened her mouth, wanting to refute, "It's not as exaggerated as you say, teacher," but after thinking about it carefully...

It seems that facts speak louder than words?

Aside from not having any kissing scenes in the web drama "Good Days" (which were later added in "Descendants of the Sun"), even his cameo role in "It's Okay, That's Love" involved filming kissing scenes...

Since there is no way to refute it.

He could only endure the burst of laughter from the surrounding staff, admitting that he was in the wrong.

Director Lee Il-hyung was also amused by the master-disciple sparring and burst into laughter.

After laughing.

He looked at Kang Jae-hoon again:

"Joking aside, the effect is undeniable. Kissing a phantom silhouette through cold glass... what a brilliant idea!"

"Thank you, director!"

The last bit of anxiety in Jiang Zai Xun's heart finally dissipated.

I feel at ease now.

Li Rijiong smiled brightly and waved his hand:
"That's a good take! Get ready for the next scene, a conflict scene in the prison shower room with actor Hwang Jung-min!"

"it is good!"

The resounding responses came from various departments.

obviously.

Kang Jae-hoon's do-or-die method acting transformation, though marred by some minor blunders from his own mentor's teasing, ultimately demonstrated through its high-quality performance and the director's unmistakable reaction—

This move went exceptionally smoothly and was remarkably effective!
(End of this chapter)