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

Chapter 234 The Preview and the Runaway Male Lead's Tokyo Valentine's Day
Actually, Kim Ji-won's sullen expression was mostly an act to show him.

Due to the influence of many factors—

The longing for a long-awaited reunion, the anticipation of a "surprise," the quiet pride that blossoms from being praised, and the affection deep in the heart that one is unwilling to give up easily.

otherwise.

There's no way he'd still be sitting here waiting for Kang Jae-hoon to come out of the bathroom. He should have grabbed his bag and left the moment Kang Jae-hoon answered that video call.

therefore.

Faced with Kang Jae-hoon's humble, almost shameless, gentle offensive and a barrage of exaggerated praise, her tightly pursed lips twitched slightly, and her feigned indifference began to flicker.

"Humph……"

Although it has only one syllable.

But this is a huge improvement compared to the sculpted silence just now.

Kang Jae-hoon immediately caught the subtle softening signal.

Overjoyed, he immediately seized the opportunity, wrapped his arms around her waist, and with a little effort, easily lifted her from the "steadfast" corner of the sofa onto his bent legs.

"It's all my fault. I made Ji-won suffer."

Kang Jae-hoon stopped joking and his tone became serious and gentle as he gently tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

"This will never happen again. Please forgive me this time."

Kim Ji-won lowered her eyelashes, still refusing to look at him, but her body had already gone limp.

"...So what exactly is this surprise you're talking about?"

She still cared more about the tangible promise that could prove she was "favored".

The alarm has been largely lifted.

“Our Ji-won has used up too much energy getting angry, so she needs to eat well first to have the energy to receive surprises, right?”

Kang Jae-hoon smiled, picked up the disposable chopsticks beside him, broke them in half, and personally mixed the jajangmyeon for her before bringing it to her lips.

"Ah~ open your mouth!"

The aroma of the food and the patient coaxing of the person in front of me finally dispelled the last bit of awkwardness.

Kim Ji-won muttered under her breath, "You're in big trouble if you lie to me," and then finally lowered her head and began to eat the food in front of her in small bites.

The rich aroma of fried sauce and the spicy scent of rice cakes mingled on the coffee table.

The room is warm and cozy.

Kim Ji-won doesn't have a big appetite to begin with, and coupled with the emotional turmoil she had just experienced, after eating about a third of the noodles and a few small pieces of sweet and sour pork, she gently shook her head to indicate that she was really full.

He then got up without saying a word and walked to the bathroom on his own.

Soon.

The sound of running water came from the bathroom.

When she came out again.

She had changed into a soft hotel bathrobe, revealing her slender, white legs, and her feet were shuffling in soft slippers.

Immediately afterwards——

Just as Kang Jae-hoon picked up a piece of sweet and sour pork and put it in his mouth, before he had even swallowed it completely...

A pair of feet, freshly bathed, still damp and warm with a sweet fragrance, were shoved into his lap, pressing directly against his abdominal muscles.

"!?"

Kang Jae-hoon's chewing stopped abruptly as he looked down in astonishment at the two exquisitely beautiful "trophies" now in his arms.

Fair and soft skin, smooth instep, neatly trimmed toenails, and beautifully curved arch.

It's the kind of good foundation that many women who have developed foot deformities from long-term dance practice envy.

The only shortcoming is...

The ankle joint appears slightly rounded and thick, lacking the usual slender physiological curves and depressions, commonly known as "no ankle".

Kang Jae-hoon was momentarily bewildered by this sudden act of "throwing himself into her arms".

Does this indicate further reconciliation?

Or is it a new form of punishment?

In a flash, he suddenly recalled the "foot massage" topic he had mentioned during his video call with Yoona in the bathroom, and instantly understood the true meaning of the pair of little feet in his arms that were willingly "sacrificing" themselves—

"I want one too."

This girl...

She usually seems gentle and mild-mannered, but when she gets jealous, it lasts a long time, and she even knows how to express her needs through "body language"?

Kang Jae-hoon couldn't help but shake his head and chuckle.

He immediately freed one hand to wrap around that soft, fragrant foot and began to knead it.

With his other hand, he continued to shovel the noodles in the bowl of sauce, eating with such gusto that he was practically racing against the clock.

The comfortable pressure from her feet and the comical way the man wolfed down his food while serving her quickly dispelled any lingering resentment Kim Ji-won had.

After a while.

The chewing stopped, and the lunchbox was pushed aside.

Kang Jae-hoon slowly wiped his mouth with a tissue.

The only things left in the room were the flickering light from the television screen and the silent flow of air between the two people.

The energy replenishment from the food and the alluring jade feet in my arms naturally stirred up thoughts that had been dormant for some time.

immediately.

The free right hand naturally joined the "work".

First, it covered her soft, warm calves very naturally.

The feigned nonchalance complemented the caress of the left hand.

His fingertips began to move very slowly along the beautiful, firm curves of her calves, stealthily advancing towards the area hidden beneath her bathrobe.

They are attempting to quietly lift the veil of mystery.

however.

The fingertips had barely grazed the calf when the wrist was firmly caught by the force of the bent leg. The fingertips were only inches away from the mysterious area under the bathrobe, yet it felt like an insurmountable chasm.

next second.

Jiang Zaixun looked up.

But then he saw Kim Ji-won slightly raise her chin and open her small, white, and tender palms towards him:
"Where's the surprise? The promised surprise isn't going to be Oppa's... restless hands, is it?"

"Oops..."

The slight embarrassment on Kang Jae-hoon's face from being caught in his momentary distraction instantly transformed into a doting smile:
"Our Ji-won is really... not leaving Oppa even the slightest backdoor now?"

Kim Ji-won completely ignored the suggestion.

The outstretched, fair and delicate palm was offered to him again.

See this.

In a relaxed tone, Kang Jae-hoon briefly outlined his overall plan to leave SEM after his contract expires next year, not to renew it, but to start his own independent film and television production company.

then.

The conversation turned.

To elaborate on the "most important" part:

"And the reason this plan was able to take shape so quickly... is because of you."

"I remember last time I came back from Greece, I saw you at the airport without even a manager to pick you up..."

"At that moment, the thought of protecting you... arose so strongly and concretely for the first time."

"So, once everything is ready on my end, the first thing I'll do is sign you. From now on, you'll have priority in choosing all the good scripts and suitable roles, and you'll never have to worry about being snatched away or neglected again."

He imbued this grand "surprise" plan with an extremely personal emotional dimension.

As for the daunting 10 billion won shortfall in start-up capital, Kang Jae-hoon didn't mention it at all. This heavy burden of reality didn't need to be shared by her at this moment.

One bombshell after another dropped.

Kim Ji-won stared blankly at Kang Jae-hoon's face, which was so close to hers.

Signed with Kang Jae-hoon's company?!
what does this mean?
mean--

No more worrying about being abandoned by a terrible agent at the last minute;

This means that with a mountain of scripts in the script library, she can choose the roles she likes and that are challenging, instead of waiting for the company to hand out some "leftovers" that others have rejected.
This means that resource allocation will no longer depend on who has the stronger backing—she herself will become the company's focus;

This means that her value will be carefully nurtured and polished on the most dazzling stage by those who truly appreciate her!
This is hardly a "surprise".
This is simply... a life-changing blessing!

A surge of scalding heat unexpectedly washed away all the awkwardness and dissatisfaction that had accumulated in Kim Ji-won's heart.

Her lips trembled slightly as she tried to say something, but her throat was choked by the overwhelming torrent of emotions.

Just imagining that future of free choice makes it seem as if a broad road full of infinite possibilities is laid out before my eyes!

however.

What struck her defenses even more fiercely than the career blueprint itself...

That's the weight behind those words!
He included her in his life's blueprint.

It wasn't an ambiguous possession between lovers, nor a transaction of exchanging resources; it was a genuine move to incorporate her future into the core of his future career!

Kang Jae-hoon demonstrated through his actions:

They saw her value, they saw her predicament, and they were willing to use the foundation of their future careers to pave a special path for her.

This "surprise" is too big.

The magnitude of it all caused Kim Ji-won, a newcomer, to feel a vague sense of unease, almost a sense of dread, and to ask herself:

"Am I really... worth him going to such lengths for?"

Seeing Kim Ji-won's dazed expression and slightly reddened eyes, Kang Jae-hoon's heart softened. He reached out and ruffled her hair, about to ask, "Was this surprise enough?"

Before he could finish speaking, Kim Ji-won abruptly cut him off with a kiss as if she were pouncing on her prey.

"Well!"

Caught off guard, Kang Jae-hoon groaned as she bumped into him, and the two of them instantly lost their balance and fell heavily onto the soft sofa behind them.

The instant their lips met, Kang Jae-hoon understood completely—

The effect of this "surprise" far exceeded expectations, and may even have been a little too good.

His hands, which were hanging by his sides, suddenly tightened, and with a flip, he reversed the positions of the two entangled individuals, regaining absolute control.

She responded to her indescribable excitement with her actions.

……

Time passes.

12 month 10 day.

Seoul.

CJ CGV Apgujeong Store.

After nearly a month of anticipation, the epic mountaineering and inspirational film "Himalaya," directed by Lee Seok-hoon, has finally reached its first and crucial hurdle on its way to the market—a media screening.

Media screening, as the name suggests.

It was an "internal appreciation" event organized by the production and distribution companies for a core group of people, with invitees being professionals and opinion leaders in the film-related industries.

The room was packed with people, including editors of authoritative film magazines, veteran film critics, chief editors of entertainment sections of major portal websites, and influential columnists.

On the stage.

The producers, directors, and lead actors are standing under the spotlight, addressing the "judges" in the audience.

Unlike the lively and relaxed atmosphere of a press conference.

Director Lee Seok-hoon's introduction was delivered at a slightly restrained pace.

He emphasized the "real challenge" of the film—the extremely difficult task of shooting on location at high altitudes in harsh environments, and the various extreme challenges that the technical team overcame.

Meanwhile, Kang Jae-hoon, dressed in a well-tailored dark suit, gave a brief speech, sincerely thanking the production team and his co-stars—expressing his hope that everyone would focus on the humanity and dreams that transcend the limits of life and death conveyed in the film.

offstage.

The well-known journalist from *M* magazine raised an eyebrow meaningfully—

Real-world setting? Extremely high cost?
Combined with the "rumors" that the production team had repeatedly delayed the project and even increased the budget, this could be the best angle to start writing an article in the future.

soon.

The main creators left the stage.

The theater lights went out completely.

The big screen lights up—

The huge title "Himalaya" is superimposed against a magnificent aerial backdrop of snow-capped mountains.

The media screening did not show the complete film.

Instead, based on the production company's strategy, they only selected the first half of the content for the media to experience.

The projector started running.

The film's initial pace is energetic and captivating.

The camera initially focuses on Park Moo-taek, played by Kang Jae-hoon.

When he first appeared, he was somewhat reckless and even a little "annoying"—a hot-blooded young man who wanted to conquer mountains but was naive and inexperienced.

The character's growth arc is clearly deliberately laid out as the main plot and spiritual core of the entire film.

He shamelessly used all sorts of ridiculous tricks (following, blocking doors, appealing to his family's emotions, etc.) and finally succeeded in joining the "Expedition Team" led by the legendary mountaineering team leader Eom Hong-gil, played by Hwang Jung-min.

The script is extremely effective in utilizing comedic tension.

Kang Jae-hoon handles the role of Park Moo-taek, an imperfect yet vibrant and genuine character, with effortless skill. His profound acting ability makes the audience irresistibly drawn to this "problematic rookie."

The most exciting part took place in a small, crowded pub.

Just a moment ago, Park Moo-taek at the dinner table was magnanimously saying that breaking up with his girlfriend didn't matter to him—

Women? They'll only slow me down!

But then the camera shifts.

He then started hugging his seniors and wailing, cursing the mountains, the wind, and his ex-girlfriend for not knowing what a real man was...

He unleashed his suppressed emotions, mixed with his drunken slurred speech, and his pitiful state amused many people in the screening room.

When we finally climbed to the summit and took the certification photo.

He couldn't hold on to it, and the small national flag, representing victory, drifted away through his fingers in the wind.

The camera shakiened, and the rousing background music abruptly stopped.

Enraged, Eom Hong-gil, played by Hwang Jung-min, grabbed his hiking stick and started cursing as he hit him on the buttocks.

Another burst of laughter of varying lengths filled the screening room.

The rhythm of the first half is like this, alternating between tension and relaxation.

Under Yan Hongji's iron-fisted yet painstaking training, Park Moo-taek's impetuousness faded away, and he gradually transformed and matured.

His skills became increasingly refined.

The wisdom of climbing was subtly nurtured, and a sense of overall responsibility for the safety of the entire team began to take root and sprout.

When Eom Hong-gil had to say goodbye to his peak due to physical limitations and age, a long side shot of the setting sun showed Park Moo-taek receiving the ice axe that Eom Hong-gil had used for many years.

So far——

He completed the spiritual legacy of Yan Hongji and became the core leader of the new generation of the "Yan Family Expedition Team".

The first half ends with a chilling scene depicting Park Moo-taek's deadly ordeal while climbing Mount Everest.

He gripped the axe passed down from his mentor Yan Hongji in one hand, wedging it tightly against the edge of a crevasse, while his other hand held fast to the safety rope wrapped around his waist, which was already taut to its limit.

And the lower end of the rope.

The one hanging there was a rookie team member, just as inexperienced as he had been back then, crying out in extreme fear and begging Park Moo-taek to cut the rope, otherwise both of them would fall into the abyss.

As Park Moo-taek, tears welling in his eyes, trembling, drew his survival knife, caught in a cruel moral and existential dilemma—

The scene stopped abruptly.

The screen suddenly went black, with only the white subtitles clearly showing: "To be continued..."

In an instant.

A near-frozen silence fell over the screening room, and the emotions of all the audience members were hanging on the edge of a precipice.

Then——

Scattered applause tentatively broke out, quickly spreading throughout the theater and eventually coalescing into an increasingly loud wave of applause.

The applause lasted for quite a while before gradually subsiding.

The lights come back on.

The host walked onto the stage with a smile, signaling the start of the Q&A session.

In the South Korean film industry, which is filled with crime action, romantic tales, heavy history, and espionage mysteries throughout the year.

The film "Himalaya," a pure mountaineering/inspirational movie, already possesses a high degree of novelty and a unique perspective.

In terms of topic selection, it is undoubtedly a pioneer of innovation, which is refreshing.

Secondly, the visual quality of the film is hard to ignore.

Although some distant views and treacherous environments had to rely on CG effects, the overall magnificent snow-capped mountain scenery and the realistic sense of difficult climbing were enough to make people overlook those minor flaws and firmly remember the magnificent beauty it contributed.

The biggest surprise undoubtedly fell on the actors—especially Kang Jae-hoon, who played the absolute core role in the first half.

The visual impact and memorable character of Jo Tae-oh, the sinister, eccentric third-generation chaebol heir in "Veteran," who wears a bespoke suit and has a venomous look in his eyes, is simply too strong.

When the screen lights up.

When Park Moo-taek, this clueless young man with messy, unkempt hair, skin tanned dark and rough from the high-altitude UV rays, and a silly smile on his lips—

The entire screening room seemed to fall into a brief collective silence.

Shocked!

He completely abandoned any sense of refinement, and could even be described as giving a "disfigured" performance without any regard for his image.

Not only that.

What's even more astonishing is his portrayal of the character's soul.

He wasn't just "acting," but he made everyone in front of the screen completely forget about "Zhao Taiwu" and also forget about the actor "Kang Jae-hoon" himself.

In contrast.

The overall storyline of the film appears relatively safe and even somewhat traditional.

It's a classic coming-of-age narrative framework about dreams, growth, and sacrifice, but that doesn't diminish its emotional impact and power.

The Q&A session has begun.

As expected.

Almost everyone's eyes and microphones were focused on Kang Jae-hoon.

"Kang Jae-hoon, congratulations! This role is such a huge contrast! What made you decide to take on such a role that almost completely subverts your image right after 'Veteran'?"

"What real preparations were made in terms of physical fitness and skin condition to portray Park Moo-taek? Was that rosy complexion from being in the high altitude real?"

"During the cliff scene, the audience could feel the suffocation. What was your mental preparation like at that moment? Could you share it?"

How was it working with teacher Hwang Jung-min again?

"..."

That night.

The invited media outlets couldn't wait to publish their first reviews on platforms like Naver Movie Reviews.

Cine21:
[Himalaya is undoubtedly the most stunning cinematic experience this winter! Director Lee Seok-hoon conquered the roof of the world with his camera, while Kang Jae-hoon captivated audiences with his acting.]

Naver Movie Column Editor:

The first half was full of surprises, with a well-paced and relaxed rhythm. The comedic tension and emotional climaxes were perfectly timed. Although the story wasn't complex, the characters' arcs were complete and moving, and the realism of the mountain climbing scenes compensated for the somewhat formulaic plot. Looking forward to the final answer in the second half.

Daum Entertainment Editor-in-Chief:

Kang Jae-hoon is the perfect example of someone who can completely transform for any role! If you're still haunted by Jo Tae-oh, then Park Moo-taek will make you forget his past entirely. His mentor-student relationship with Hwang Jung-min is the emotional anchor of the film, carrying on the legacy and hope. This is a masterpiece that will make you laugh and cry, and get your blood pumping!

M Magazine:
[The most surprising transformation of the year! Kang Jae-hoon—from a 'mad chaebol' to a 'snow-capped mountain hero.' In *Himalaya*, he sheds all pretense, delivering a flawless performance that perfectly embodies the true essence of an actor. The role of Park Moo-taek will be another shining milestone in his career!]

……

Positive reviews overwhelmingly prevailed.

The overall score was pushed to an astonishing 9.7 by various media outlets!
It's worth noting that the box office champion and wildly popular "Veteran" only received a 9.24 rating on Naver!
This near-perfect score is tantamount to presenting all potential ordinary viewers with a gleaming "quality guarantee" and a "must-see certification".

The effect is immediate.

As Seoul was abuzz with anticipation following the huge success of the media screening of "Himalaya," as moviegoers eagerly awaited the film's official release, and as pre-sale box office figures broke records at an astonishing pace—

The protagonist, who is currently being eagerly anticipated by countless viewers and is about to present a revolutionary image on the big screen, has quietly disappeared from the spotlight.

A flight bound for Tokyo Haneda International Airport is smoothly traversing above the clouds.

In first class.

A seat by the window.

Wearing a baseball cap and a black mask that almost covered most of his face, Kang Jae-hoon turned his head to look at the endless sea of ​​clouds outside the porthole.

Its purpose is simple and clear—

I made a special trip to see Lim Yoon-a to spend the last Valentine's Day of the year.

This time, there was no ingenious time management, only single-minded dedication.

During the video call that night.

When Lim Yoon-a casually brought up the matter of fulfilling a vow with amulets, Kang Jae-hoon initially did not fully grasp its deeper meaning.

At the time, I was only thinking about appeasing one party while carefully keeping the other party in the dark.

But as December 14th draws ever closer...

He was suddenly jolted awake from his busy schedule, and it dawned on him—

Yoona's actions weren't simply a reminder to fulfill a vow.

This is clearly an implication that he is using the guise of "fulfilling a vow" to carry out a "secret rendezvous."

Kang Jae-hoon leaned against the porthole and couldn't help but think:
If I had been any less clever and hadn't understood that elegant yet subtle hint in time, I might have truly been doomed.

Ugh.

A smart and romantic woman has such a delicate mind that it really tests her emotional intelligence...

(End of this chapter)