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

Chapter 242 Hunter Yoona's Long-Range Sniping is Ready
Was Kang Jae-hoon truly stumped by the reporter's sudden question?
not completely.

He just needed those few seconds to switch the "standard answer" in his mind to a version that was more suitable for the current situation and more "Kang Jae-hoon".

"Wow……"

A perfectly timed gasp came from the center of the stage.

Kang Jae-hoon wore a look that was both funny and exasperating:

"This reporter asked this at the press conference for my new drama. Are you worried that after I finish playing Sergeant Seo Dae-young, I'll be immediately recruited into the Ministry of National Defense? And I won't even have to pay the final installment of my salary?"

"Hahaha--"

This perfectly timed joke hit the mark, instantly eliciting a burst of laughter from the audience.

On the stage.

Song Joong-ki burst into laughter, collapsing onto the table, his shoulders shaking; Song Hye-kyo also covered her mouth, her eyes crinkling with laughter. Even the reporter who asked the question couldn't help but grin awkwardly and helplessly.

Kang Jae-hoon seized the opportunity and straightened his expression slightly:
"First of all, thank you very much for your question. There is no doubt that military service is the duty of every male citizen of South Korea. I have always felt the same way."

This statement is positive, direct, and impeccable.

Almost all the reporters nodded subconsciously, ready to record this standard, correct answer that could easily become a press release.

The other main creators on stage also showed slightly relieved expressions.

It seems he chose the safest public relations approach to defuse the storm.

"but--"

Just when everyone thought the answer was over, Kang Jae-hoon abruptly changed the subject. This sudden shift made all the reporters look up in surprise.

"Just as the law demands obligations while also being full of humanitarian concern, according to the relevant provisions of the Military Service Law, there are some special circumstances under which exemptions or changes to the form of military service may be granted."

Kang Jae-hoon paused, his gaze calmly sweeping across the entire room:

"And I... unfortunately, happen to meet the terms of those terms."

Exemption?

The conditions for exemption from military service are usually as follows:
Those who have made significant contributions to the country—such as athletes who have won gold medals at the Olympic Games and Asian Games (like the legendary e-sports player Faker), and those who have made outstanding contributions at the national level in the fields of art and science.

Specialized talents with doctoral degrees or above.

After undergoing the most stringent physical examination by the Military Service Agency, he was ultimately identified as a Level 6 active duty candidate with extremely abnormal mental health (this clause is mainly to avoid the risk of potential violence or accidents in the military).

An orphan, or an adult male who needs to raise three or more minor siblings or children on his own.

All the reporters, including the staff present, were racing to match Kang Jae-hoon's image with the aforementioned clauses.

The first few points were clearly irrelevant to him, and the answer almost directly pointed to the last one.

however.

Whether it's "orphan" or "needing to raise multiple young children alone," either one has the explosive power to ignite a trending topic!

Kang Jae-hoon didn't let this speculation fester for too long:

“I am an orphan. According to Article 30 of the Military Service Law, I am legally entitled to exemption from military service.”

Article 30?

The quick-fingered reporter disregarded the occasion and immediately pulled out his phone from his bag to search for the electronic version of the "Military Service Law".

Soon, clear terms appeared on the screen—

Article 30 of the Military Service Law stipulates:
If a South Korean male citizen has both parents deceased before turning 18 and has no other legal guardians or dependent immediate family members, he/she may be exempt from military service if he/she submits valid orphan documentation and the Military Manpower Administration verifies it.

!

The written record proves that what he said was true!

The clicking of camera shutters seemed to have been abruptly cut off, ceasing completely. The suppressed whispers vanished, and the entire press conference hall fell into an utterly unreal, deathly silence.

Everyone was stunned.

This is a core secret that has never appeared in any interviews, gossip, or even information dug up by fans.

Who would have thought that a routine question about military service, which was somewhat difficult, would become the key to unlocking the secrets of Kang Jae-hoon's past and revealing such shocking personal wounds?

The protagonist, who was at the center of the storm, displayed a calmness completely contrary to what they had expected:

"Although I deeply regret not being able to serve my country as a soldier (yeah, right), I always believe that there are many ways to fulfill one's responsibilities as a citizen."

"As an actor, my battlefield is in front of the camera. I will do my best to move and inspire people with good stories and roles. This is also the way I have chosen to give back to society and the country."

"At the same time, I have been anonymously supporting some charitable foundations that care for orphans. In the future, I will participate in these activities more publicly, hoping to use my meager strength to help more children with similar experiences to me have a less difficult future."

At last.

Kang Jae-hoon looked again at the reporter who had initially asked the question, his eyes "sincere":
"So please don't worry about my 'vacation period' or my determination to 'fulfill my obligations.' My determination has never changed; it's just been expressed in a different way. Thank you."

After he finished speaking, the entire press conference room fell silent.

Song Joong-ki's smile vanished completely—as a close member of the "Jo Line," he was utterly unaware of this.

Song Hye-kyo's gentle smile vanished completely, replaced by an intense shock and pity in her eyes.

Click!

It's unclear who, in a state of extreme shock, unconsciously pressed the shutter.

Immediately afterwards——

Splash splash splash splash splash!
It wasn't the sound of a camera shutter, but applause.

At first, it was sporadic.

Immediately, applause resounded throughout the press conference hall like a tidal wave, enthusiastic and long-lasting.

This is not a passive answer.

Instead, it was a textbook example of proactive action, a brilliant move that completely turned "negative" into "positive"!

The scope is grand and the vision is lofty.

This left all the media personnel present completely convinced.

at that time.

The anger Kim Ji-won showed when answering the reporter's question had long since been washed away by an even stronger surge of emotions.

She just stared at Kang Jae-hoon's profile.

Amidst thunderous applause, and under the spotlight that illuminated him like an isolated island in the center of the stage, the light in her eyes trembled violently.

The experienced host, sensing the need for a break in the atmosphere, immediately took over the conversation:

"Thank you for such a sincere and powerful answer, Jae-hoon-ssi. Your choice is truly admirable! Now, let's move on to the next question..."

Taking advantage of the moment when the host began to guide the discussion to the next topic, Kim Ji-won quickly lowered her eyes, trying to suppress the surging emotions in her eyes.

The press conference proceeded as planned.

But the atmosphere had changed dramatically, and the questions that followed were subconsciously much softer.

……

After one hour.

The flashbulbs went out, and the crowd dispersed.

In the parking lot.

The Song-Song couple exchanged a knowing glance.

Song Hye-kyo stepped forward first and gently patted Kang Jae-hoon's shoulder, her eyes filled with lingering surprise and an overwhelming tenderness and pity.

“Jae-hoon… I really didn’t know you…” She paused, lowering her voice even further, “Joong-ki and I are both free tonight, how about we have a casual meal together? Let’s find a quiet place.”

Song Joong-ki also approached: "You...sigh..." He wanted to say something like "Why didn't you tell us?" but felt that such words were pale and powerless, so he finally said sincerely, "Let's chat together, just to relax."

Upon hearing this, Kang Jae-hoon looked up, shook his head, and smiled:

"Thank you, Nuna, thank you, brother. It was just something I mentioned, nothing serious. Don't worry about me."

Time heals all wounds.

Over the course of more than twenty years, the outlines of his parents in Jiang Zai Xun's memory have faded into a few yellowed old photos, so blurry that he can no longer even remember their specific features.

He doesn't need sympathy.

Or rather, they don't need sympathy from their colleagues.

But it was precisely this calmness and "indifference" that made Song Joong-ki and Song Hye-kyo feel even more anxious.

They wanted to say something more.

But then Kim Ji-won walked over, her high heels clicking away.

She did not speak.

But her large, almond-shaped eyes were already filled with too many complex emotions, coupled with her sexy outfit that was completely opposite to her current mood, yet extremely visually striking, creating a contradictory yet straightforward attraction...

Cough... Kang Jae-hoon really needs something else to change his mood.

"Okay, let's meet again next time."

"Take care of yourself and get some rest."

Song Hye-kyo also offered a gentle word of advice.

Kang Jae-hoon bowed slightly: "Thank you, hyung, noona."

Watching the two of them, seemingly keeping their distance but actually exuding tension, walk towards another passage, Song Hye-kyo smiled and gently took Song Joong-ki's arm.

"It seems that a lover's comfort is much more effective than ours."

Song Joong-ki couldn't help but chuckle:
"Yeah... Nuna, tell me, where are they now...?"

Song Hye-kyo playfully pinched his arm lightly:
"Tsk, this kind of thing..."

Song Joong-ki, with a slight smile, whispered in Song Hye-kyo's ear:
"What are you tsk about? I bet... they're definitely one step ahead of us."

"ah!"

Song Hye-kyo really glared at him this time.

……

The car door had just closed.

Kim Ji-won's emotions, which she had been building up all the way, finally burst forth.

Kang Jae-hoon was about to pull up his seatbelt.

next second.

It surges forth, carrying with it a delicate fragrance and a uniquely feminine gentleness.

Kim Ji-won, in an almost "pounce" motion, forcefully opened her arms and hugged Kang Jae-hoon tightly as he had just settled down.

More accurately—

He pressed his head firmly against his chest.

The sudden "chest-burying" attack made Kang Jae-hoon, who was used to taking the initiative with her, experience for the first time in his life what it meant to be "forced to suffocate" and... a subtle sense of shame?
"Hey you..."

He instinctively tried to struggle and lift his head, but Kim Ji-won's arms held him tightly around the neck.

"Don't move, just stay here for a while..."

Through the wool fabric, you can clearly feel the amazing, soft curves of the skin on your cheeks and forehead, as well as the rapid, powerful heartbeat.

Boom, boom, boom...

It sounds like drumming.

struggle?

forget it.

He, Kang Jae-hoon, is not a paragon of virtue.

Although he felt somewhat awkward and uncomfortable with this "forced maternal care," in the end, he... well, he went along with it.

"Oppa..."

Kim Ji-won's voice rang out above his head, her soft tone filled with an overwhelming tenderness.

"……Um."

Jiang Zai Xun's muffled voice came from her chest, and she responded with a soft sound.

Kim Ji-won tightened her arms around him, as if she wanted to use her body to forcefully knead the person in her arms... along with his heavy past, into her own flesh and blood, to warm him well.

Lower your head.

She brushed her chin against the top of his head, which was being pressed against his chest, and whispered:
"Oppa...would you like to call me Mom?"

"..."

Kang Jae-hoon's body stiffened completely, becoming like a stone.

The refusal emanating from her embrace was resolute and unwavering:
"……don't want."

Kim Ji-won seemed oblivious to the refusal or perhaps had anticipated it, and continued to gently tease the "dangerous edge," her voice becoming even softer and sweeter:
"Just call out once... just once?"

She even gently shook Kang Jae-hoon's head, as if coaxing a disobedient child:
"Okay~ Now that you've finished calling me... I'll tell you a little secret."

The car fell silent once again.

All that remained was the faint hum of the air conditioner's heating vents and the increasingly rapid heartbeats of the two people entwined together.

Just when Kim Ji-won thought the hard head in her arms was about to fall silent forever—

A barely audible sound brushed against the soft wool fabric of her shirt:

"……Mother……"

The voice was so low it was almost inaudible, but it was definitely the word "Mom"!
A strange sense of satisfaction and triumphant elation instantly lit up Kim Ji-won's face, her eyebrows curving into the most beautiful crescent shape, her eyes sparkling with light.

"……Now."

The muffled sound rang out again, urging:
"What's the secret?"

Kim Ji-won immediately toned down her overly dazzling smile (though her eyes still sparkled), and whispered the "earth-shattering secret" close to his ear, word by word, in a voice only the two of them could hear:
"Actually..."

Warm breath blew into his ear.

"...You're not my biological child."

"..."

After a brief period of deathly silence.

"Jin! Ji! Won!"

Jiang Zai Xun abruptly broke free from her embrace, raised his head, and his handsome face flushed red (a mixture of embarrassment and annoyance at being teased, and the lingering warmth of the "motherly love" he had just been suffocating in), his eyes blazing with the fire of being mocked:
"You're dead!"

Just as the two were flirting...

Outside the car window, Seoul was completely enveloped in the darkness of night.

The massive cable-stayed bridge casts a cold, sharp black silhouette against the night sky and the shimmering Han River.

The beams of light from the bridge lamps swept swiftly across the car, illuminating and dimming the subtle expressions on Kim Ji-won's face after she was "punished."

The magnificent lights of Jamsil Stadium gradually faded outside the car window as it sped away, replaced by the view of the Suyudong area in JB district.

Traffic slowed down.

She turned into a quieter side street. Kim Ji-won stepped out of the car with light movements and stood beside it, not immediately heading towards the stairwell.

Those shimmering eyes, like pools of water filled with shattered diamonds under the dim streetlights, gazed tenderly at Jiang Zai Xun, who had just stepped out of the car.

The cold wind seemed unable to dispel the warmth in her eyes.

"Oppa, my parents aren't home~"

Kang Jae-hoon was amused by her straightforward yet slightly sly declaration, and deliberately followed up with a question:

"Oh? Where did Uncle and Aunt go?"

"Zhangjiajie! I booked them a high-end tour group; their flight was yesterday morning."

Zhangjiajie is in South Korea.

It is especially well-known among middle-aged and elderly people.

Koreans have a deep-seated love for mountain climbing and nature, and Zhangjiajie's "uniqueness, danger, beauty, and tranquility" perfectly capture their aesthetic excitement.

Behind this is a marketing team of geniuses who have closely linked the core ethical concept of "filial piety" in Korean society with Zhangjiajie.

"If this life is enough and I have no regrets, I will surely accompany my elderly parents to Wulingyuan."

"How can a child find peace of mind if they cannot take their parents to see the magnificent peaks?"

These "golden quotes," masquerading as traditional Chinese culture and directly addressing the core of East Asian filial piety, coupled with a barrage of touching videos online of "children taking family photos with their parents in Zhangjiajie, and the elderly shedding tears at Tianmen Mountain," have successfully created a social atmosphere:
Show filial piety to your parents? Hurry up and send them hiking in Zhangjiajie!

Not sending a gift? That would be unfilial!
That's so low-class!

This can be described as a highly damaging form of "filial piety PUA".

Even successful celebrity families cannot escape the "caring" comparisons and "well-intentioned reminders" from neighbors and relatives.

Kang Jae-hoon was amused by Kim Ji-won's "deeply affected" little expression:
"So, is Ji-won acting out of genuine filial piety... or is she using filial piety as a pretext to create opportunities for the two of us to be alone?"

"ah--!"

Having her intentions exposed, Kim Ji-won no longer gave Kang Jae-hoon the chance to continue "teasing" her with words.

I decided to stop pretending, grabbed his arm, and dragged him towards the stairwell with all my might.

"Why all the nonsense! Let's go! It's freezing!"

Jiang Zaixun smiled and let her drag him along.

Before entering the building.

She didn't forget to turn back and wave to Kim Dae-won in the van in the distance, signaling him that he could leave first.

"..."

See this.

Jin Dayuan silently took out his phone and began to think about what time it would be appropriate to pick him up tomorrow morning, and how to deal with any possible... situations.

……

The next day.

The morning sun had not yet dispelled the thin winter fog of Seoul, but the online world was already in an uproar from the aftershocks of last night's press conference.

It seems that all the servers for trending topics are overloaded for one person:
#Kang Jae-hoon Orphan#
#Kang Jae-hoon Military Service Exemption#
#Kang Jae-hoon's way of loving his country#
#Descendants of the Sun Press Conference Live Report#
Originally, Kim Eun-sook's new drama was highly anticipated, Song Hye-kyo's highly anticipated comeback after three years away from the small screen was also a major event, and even Song Joong-ki's first appearance after his military service was also a major event.

Faced with the immense popularity of Kang Jae-hoon, a rising star, all discussions about the drama itself were instantly "shut down."

People's focus has been mercilessly diverted.

Central Plains.

The promotional vehicle for the TV series "God of War Zhao Zilong" is bumping along the way to the next city where they will be appearing for a promotional event.

The carriage was filled with a somewhat weary and dull atmosphere.

Yoona was curled up in the back seat by the window, her back against the massage cushion, holding the latest smartphone in her arms. The cold light from the screen illuminated her delicate face—but at this moment, that delicate face was mixed with a rare look of bewilderment and contemplation.

Her fingertips moved across the screen.

The hashtag #KangJaeHoonMilitaryServiceExemption# is so popular that she can't ignore it.

Click to open.

The pinned video is a compilation of clips from last night's press conference.

Im Yoon-a put on small noise-canceling in-ear headphones.

A familiar voice flowed out:

“Military service is an obligation that every male citizen of South Korea must fulfill, without a doubt. I have always felt the same way.”

"As an actor, my battlefield is in front of the camera..."

The slight swaying sensation in the carriage seemed to disappear at that moment.

The background noise of the staff talking in hushed tones became muffled.

In fact, Lim Yoona knew a long time ago that Kang Jae-hoon was an orphan.

It could even be said that he was someone who knew about Kang Jae-hoon much earlier than 95% of the people in the industry.

Once you know, you know.

It wasn't something that could be judged or overly concerned about casually. She never thought of using this secret to find any special connection; she simply kept it quietly sealed away in a corner of her heart.

But at the moment.

Separated by thousands of miles through a cold screen.

Watching him stand under the blinding spotlight, under the gaze of countless cameras and flashes.

Faced with the sudden "spear of conscription," he calmly, even with a hint of self-deprecation and resilience, personally tore open that heavy past and displayed it to the public...

An indescribable bitterness inevitably welled up in my heart.

Is it because you feel sorry for him that he has to do this?
Is it a lament about the cruelty of fate, or is it revealed in such a dramatic way?

Or is it... a subtle, unsettling feeling of having everything forcibly made public?
She stared at the handsome profile on the screen, which remained calm.

The progress bar has been fast-forwarded.

Just as I was trying to adjust my breathing and suppress the turbulent emotions churning inside me—

and many more……!
Lin Yoona's delicate eyebrows furrowed suddenly, and her fingers slid rapidly across the screen, forcefully pulling back the progress bar of the video that was halfway through playback for several seconds.

on the screen.

Kang Jae-hoon calmly recounted his choice to repay the country: "...I will do my utmost to move and inspire people with good stories and roles..."

At this point, the camera briefly cuts to a panoramic view.

Most of the people's eyes showed straightforward emotions such as sympathy and shock.

But the watery light deep within Kim Ji-won's beautiful almond-shaped eyes was mixed with too much intense, undiluted emotion!

"...!"

Damn!

cheated!
Yes, just that one look.

Im Yoona immediately made a judgment—

Back in the backstage waiting room of the MMA awards ceremony, I was completely fooled by Kim Ji-won's superb acting skills, which portrayed me as a delicate, pitiful, and harmless little white flower!

You can't hide the look in someone's eyes when they like them, especially when that person is going through a storm.

As a fellow actress, and a master of this craft, Lim Yoona was able to glean a deeper meaning from Kim Ji-won's fleeting emotions—a meaning far beyond mere concern for a colleague.

Even the wisest person can think a thousand times.
Ah.

This is simply...

The voice of her assistant in the front row disrupted Yoona's train of thought:

"Yoona, shall we take a break at the next service area?"

"No need, let's go directly to the site."

He leaned back in his chair, his knuckles tapping lightly on his knees.

Careless.

We were really careless.

It turned out that Kim Ji-won was much more skilled than she had expected.

Lin Yoona looked out the car window at the slightly gray winter scenery of the north.

Distance is a major obstacle.

Kang Jae-hoon will inevitably devote himself to promoting "Descendants of the Sun" in the short term, and his official pairing with Kim Ji-won will be a key focus of the promotional campaign.

At this moment, I am powerless to act, and many of my methods are difficult to implement.

At a time when Kang Jae-hoon is most vulnerable and in need of emotional support (or most susceptible to exploitation) due to the shock of his past at yesterday's press conference, Kim Ji-won holds an unparalleled advantage in terms of both location and support.

But so what?
The game has just reached the middle stage.

The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.

How could anyone so easily covet or even "claim" what belongs to her, Lin Yoona?
A few seconds of thought.

A clear and effective strategy had already taken shape in her mind.

Picking up the phone again, I gently swiped my finger across the contacts list and tapped the most crucial contact—Jin Dayuan.

The phone was answered quickly after only one ring.

Obviously.

Jin Dayuan assumed it was a routine "check-in" by the Central Plains authorities and an inquiry about the progress of the rental housing project.

"Daewon Oppa, did I disturb you?"

Yoona's voice was soft and calm, without the slightest hint of emotion.

"Ani ani! Yoona, you're too kind. I just had something to take care of. I wanted to ask about renting a room..."

"There's no rush regarding the progress of the new house project."

Im Yoona casually interrupted him:

“I trust our Dae Won oppa to do things.”

The conversation shifted abruptly, becoming as natural as casual conversation:
"I just saw some posts on Korean websites. The reaction to the pairing of Jae Hoon and Kim Ji Won after last night's press conference was unexpectedly enthusiastic. It seems like this is a stroke of good luck for promoting 'Descendants of the Sun'."

The topic jumped so abruptly that it caught Kim Dae-won off guard.

He paused, immediately recalling Jiang Zai Xun's meaningful wave yesterday, and his voice became indistinct:

"Ah...yes...um...right, the audience's enthusiasm for discussion is indeed...very high..."

Im Yoona seemed oblivious to his awkward overthinking, and continued to cast her bait, her voice still gentle, but the focus subtly shifted:
"High popularity is certainly a good thing, but... everyone is watching this 'screen couple,' and all sorts of interpretations are emerging. I suppose the one under the most pressure... is Suzy?"

"Is she having a tough time filming 'Uncontrollably Fond' lately? I wonder if seeing this kind of news will affect her mood...?"

No instructions are mentioned in any of the sentences.

Every sentence hits the nail on the head.

"Huh? Well... Suzy's personality is indeed a bit... well... then... should I remind Jaehoon to be careful about the boundaries of his marketing with Kim Jiwon?"

On the other end of the phone.

Im Yoon-a was very satisfied with Kim Dae-won's "good sense of timing":

"What are you saying, Daewon Oppa?"

“It’s his job to cooperate with the production team to promote the drama during the promotion period. How can we let him ruin his own career? Besides, he has also put his heart and soul into the ‘Descendants of the Sun’ project.”

Yoona's voice was gentle and "wise," as if she were defending Kang Jae-hoon's serious work.

Her tone then abruptly shifted, revealing her true intention:

"He's so busy, he should focus his energy on his work. Why bother him with such trivial matters as this online spat?"

"In my opinion, perhaps Suzy can handle it herself?"

"After all, hasn't she always been very clear about what truly belongs to her?"

Kim Dae-won on the other end of the phone immediately understood Lin Yoona's intention.

—Let Bae Suzy deal with Kim Ji-won, who's been getting a bit cocky lately.

She doesn't need to get involved herself.

Kang Jae-hoon didn't even need to know.

He simply moved Bae Suzy, the chess piece, with a light touch.

Who is Bae Suzy?

Beneath the innocent exterior of the nation's first love lies the core of a scheming strategist.

She has a strong sense of territory and a protective instinct towards the "ownership" she has defined.

She was willing to use her connections in official circles for Jiang Zaixun back then, and now she's willing to use her methods to "clean up" any eyesores.

Moreover, it's perfectly reasonable for her to take action—she's the official girlfriend (at least she sees herself as one), so being jealous and retaliating is "perfectly natural," and no one can find fault with it.

It could even reignite the popularity of the "Fox and Rabbit Couple".

only……

Kim Ji-won will likely have to bear the cost of this popularity.

"Understood. I will let the information that should be seen naturally reach the ears of the people who should hear it."

“I’ve always trusted Oppa to get things done.”

Yoona's voice returned to its light and sweet tone, as if the subtly witty conversation from just moments ago had never happened.

"Thank you for your hard work on the all-rental project. I'll hang up now, I have to rush to my next announcement."

"Yes, please take care of yourself."

call ended.

Jin Dayuan put down his phone and let out a long sigh of relief.

He glanced at the still bustling streets of Seoul outside the window, then looked down at the seemingly normal photo of Kang Jae-hoon and Kim Ji-won backstage at the press conference that he had saved on his phone, and shook his head helplessly.

The rain is coming.

He could foresee that Bae Suzy would soon take some "action".

And Kim Ji-won...

She'll probably have to pay a small "price" for that undisguised look in her eyes.

Jin Dayuan dared not be negligent.

She immediately pulled out her contacts and began to think about how to let Bae Suzy know, "naturally" and without leaving a trace, that her "fox" was being coveted by another "goldfish".

Meanwhile, on the promotional vehicle in Central China, Lin Yoona had already put away her phone and turned her gaze back to the scenery rushing past the window, a faint smile playing on her lips.

Kim Ji-won, the lesson your older sister taught you is called—

Don't easily reveal your desire for prey to the hunter.

(End of this chapter)