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

Chapter 249 The First Day of Spring, Pen as Proof

three days later.

Kang Jae-hoon sat in the back seat of the van.

The phone screen was blindingly bright.

on the screen.

The bank app clearly displays the account balance as 141 billion Korean won.

He counted the incredibly long string of zeros three times.

Every time my fingertip swipes across the screen, it feels a little unreal.

The 50 billion yuan shortfall that once weighed heavily on him has now been easily filled by this surging torrent of funds.

"Brother, please cancel today's roadshow for me."

"Ok?"

Jin Dayuan, who was driving, was a little surprised. It was rare for him to miss such an important publicity event.

"As for the reason... just say I suddenly felt extremely unwell, and you can improvise about the specifics of the discomfort."

Kang Jae-hoon closed the glaring bank interface.

Uncomfortable? He felt refreshed and invigorated, and even his clenched fists seemed to be full of power.
"Also, contact your master's wife and tell her the money is in place, and we're ready to take action!"

"Um???"

……

After one hour.

In Huang Zhengmin's elegant private reception room.

The fragrance of tea lingers.

When Kim Mi-hye heard Kang Jae-hoon's brief statement, "The money is in place," even though she was used to big occasions, her hand holding the teacup still paused for a moment.

She carefully examined the young disciple before her—the subtle anxiety and tension he once possessed were gone, replaced by an unprecedented composure and… eagerness to try.

Kim Mi-hye put down her teacup, a meaningful smile curving her lips:

"Oh? That's truly... lightning-fast!"

"Was it Yoona? Or did Suzy step in and solve the immediate crisis?"

"If that's really the case, you must remember this 'affection' well, Xun..."

Faced with the teacher's wife's teasing, which was like checking his household registration while discussing serious matters.

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

He quickly chuckled and waved his hand awkwardly.

"Master's wife, you're joking! What are you talking about... Money is a long story, but the point is to use it cleanly, legally, and with peace of mind! Right now, we only have one goal—"

He composed himself and glanced at the detailed information of the three target companies spread out on the coffee table:

"Take it!"

Kim Mi-hye smiled knowingly, stopping there and not dwelling on the topic any longer.
"Since funding isn't an issue, let's focus on the target itself. You already know the characteristics of these three companies. Tell me, which one do you prefer?"

Kang Jae-hoon stroked his chin dramatically, looking as if he were suffering from a severe case of decision paralysis.

"Tsk... Master's wife, this is truly a difficult choice. Muse represents familiarity over novelty, Ciel represents the future, Vizion satisfies sentimentality... They're all good, and it's hard to choose between them..."

"Alright, alright, stop playing this 'well-thought-out' trick on me."

Kim Mi-hye put down her teacup and tapped her fingertips firmly on the roster:

"Do you think I don't know what's on your mind? We can talk about art later, once the company is stable and our cash flow is secure. Right now, the top priority is—to recover our losses as quickly as possible! To open up the market with our most familiar flagship product! To make a name for ourselves!"

Jiang Zai Xun's little schemes were exposed in front of his teacher's wife.

The "confusion" on his face instantly turned into a knowing "hehe" laugh:
"Only my master's wife truly understands me!"

The finger tapped heavily on the cover of the document representing Muse Production:

"This is it! A ready-made professional team, we can start the project immediately! Stable, fast, and with a sustainable earning capacity!"

"Ah."

Kim Mi-hye was not surprised by this answer at all:

“Okay, I’ll contact Muse’s representative Park right away and schedule a time to talk as soon as possible. These things are better done sooner rather than later.”

……

in the afternoon.

Conference room at the Jiangnan District Business Center.

Outside the huge floor-to-ceiling windows lies the bustling scene of Jiangnan, but inside, the atmosphere is somber and desolate.

The two sides of the long conference table are clearly defined.

On one side were Park, the founder and CEO of Muse Production, along with several core executives and their lawyers.

On the other side is the "Jiang Fang" team, consisting of Jiang Zai Xun, Jin Mei Hui, Jin Da Yuan, two senior M&A lawyers, and a financial auditing expert.

Negotiations begin.

Park's side was clearly well-prepared, with an exquisitely designed PowerPoint presentation that emphasized Muse Production's "glorious history" and "indispensable" value:
"...Looking back at our company's growth trajectory, as you can see, whether it's projects we've participated in with major film studios..."

Representative Park spoke eloquently, citing past cases.

They are trying to prove that Muse is much more than just an execution subcontractor.

Kim Mi-hye sat there with an elegant demeanor, a gentle smile always on her lips.

Only after Representative Park's self-praise came to an end did Kim Mi-hye gently put down her pen.
"Representative Park is right. Your company's execution capabilities and teamwork in participating in mature projects, especially large-scale subcontracting projects, are indeed evident to all. The efficiency is very high."

"but--"

"The core ideas, market positioning, director selection, and even key resource allocation of these projects seem to be dominated by the production company, while your company is more of an excellent 'executor'."

"True planning ability, the ability to develop and incubate original scripts, and stable collaborations with top directors... Forgive my bluntness, but these seem to be precisely the biggest bottlenecks Muse is currently facing?"

Kim Mi-hye's voice was not loud, and her tone could even be described as gentle.

But every word is like a precise scalpel, hitting the core of the problem.

Representative Park's smiling face froze for a moment, and the expressions of the two people next to him also became somewhat unnatural.

Kim Mi-hye, however, seemed not to notice and continued her gentle analysis:
"Over-reliance on project subcontracting means relatively passive bargaining power and risk-bearing capacity. A lack of proprietary intellectual property will also limit long-term sustainability and brand premium. Doesn't that sound reasonable?"

She used a question.

The answer is self-evident.

Kang Jae-hoon plays the role of a young, wealthy man who believes "silence is golden" from beginning to end.

Most of the time, he just listened with a blank expression.

However, whenever Kim Mi-hye pointed out a key weakness, especially when she mentioned "lack of originality" and "passive bargaining power," he would subtly furrow his brow in perfect sync.

This action, in the eyes of the other party, was clearly a signal of extreme dissatisfaction and concern about the current state of the company!
And Jin Dayuan swore—

He caught a glimpse of his boss secretly swiping his phone screen under the table, probably checking the Kakao that Bae Suzy had asked why he hadn't come.

But how would the other party notice?

Kang Jae-hoon's deep and focused expression was even more vivid than his portrayal of Jo Tae-oh in "Veteran"!
……

The tug-of-war is raging on.

Price floor, payment method, retention of core team, disposal of non-performing debt, future capital injection plan... every point was scrutinized repeatedly and meticulously calculated.

finally.

After several rounds of back-and-forth negotiations, the acquisition price was settled at a figure that was barely acceptable to both sides.

58 billion Korean won.

The dust has settled, and the status is set.

The acquisition was completed on the evening of the same day.

In the presence of a lawyer.

The change in the shareholding structure of MUSE Productions has been officially finalized:
Kang Jae-hoon personally invested 70 billion won, holding an absolute controlling stake of 63%.

Kim Mi-hye made a strategic investment of 30 billion won as promised, acquiring 27% of the shares and becoming the second largest shareholder.

The remaining 10% equity will be reserved as an employee stock option incentive pool to prepare for the company to attract and retain core talent in the future.

……

That night.

A VIP room at a barbecue restaurant in Gangnam District.

The meat is fragrant.

The charcoal fire crackled.

Laughter and chatter filled the air around the long table amidst swirling smoke.

The table was already a mess of cups and plates, with bottles of shochu, beer, and sake lying haphazardly.

"Come on! Let's raise a glass!"

Cha Tae-hyun grabbed Kang Jae-hoon by the neck, making him cough, while he himself grinned from ear to ear and led the cheering:
"To celebrate our CEO Kang Jae-hoon's official launch today! Cheers!"

"President Jiang, you'd better think of your brothers when you make movies in the future!"

"President Kang, please!"

"Hello, President!"

A huge cheer erupted in the private room, and glasses clinked together.

Kang Jae-hoon's face flushed as he was addressed as "President," but his heart felt warm.

This is what it feels like to share joy.

Everyone sat down again.

Jo In-sung picked up the tongs beside him and flipped the Korean beef for Kang Jae-hoon:

"Jae-hoon, I'm so happy for you! But... acquiring such a big company must have cost an astronomical sum, right? This money..."

He paused deliberately, his gaze sweeping over Cha Tae-hyun, who immediately understood and winked knowingly.
"Yes, confess now!"

"Did you... receive 'friendly sponsorship' from some particularly enthusiastic and wealthy actresses?"

Amidst the increasingly outrageous teasing and jeering from his brothers.

Kang Jae-hoon couldn't hold back any longer and confessed:
"Hey! You bunch of people!"

"Actually... this huge sum of money... is really thanks to you!"

"Ok?"

Everyone was stunned.

"Thanks to you guys who kept urging me to buy Premier League lottery tickets."

The private room fell silent instantly.

Several pairs of eyes blinked.

I didn't react in time.

"...How much...how much did you win?"

Lee Kwang-soo's voice sounded a little unsteady.

"After tax... 127 billion."

"Moragu?!"

"One hundred...one hundred and twenty-seven billion?! Holy crap!!"

"Ah! Kang Jae-hoon!!!"

Cha Tae-hyun's eyes widened like saucers, and he was the first to jump up:
"Your brothers persuaded you to buy it, right?! We deserve some credit for that!!!"

He suddenly turned his head and shouted towards the door:

"Waiter! Waiter!!!"

The waiter immediately jogged in.

Cha Tae-hyun pointed at the menu, his confidence unstoppable:
"Add more dishes! Bring me all the best items from your most expensive and best-selling menu! Now! Immediately! Right now!"

Lee Kwang-soo followed closely behind, pointing at the drinks menu at the top of his lungs:
"Bring out the most expensive liquor! Open... one bottle per person! No, drink one bottle and smash the next! It has to be worthy of our lottery... no, our President Jiang's prestige!"

"..."

Jiang Zai Xun looked at the group of bandits in front of him, who were eager to "slaughter the big dog." He was both amused and exasperated.

but.

Isn't the happiness of being "fleeced" and shared in by close friends without any scruples an indispensable and happiest part of success?
Then, with a grand and heroic gesture, he waved his hand:
"Order! Order whatever you want!! Give me the best of everything!!! Enough for me today! I'll fight anyone who tries to save me money!"

……

Countless rounds of wine have been drunk.

The atmosphere gradually calmed down after reaching its peak.

The table was now completely ruined, a testament to the aftermath of a culinary battle.

The brothers leaned back in their chairs, patting their round bellies, and chatted about everything under the sun.

Kang Jae-hoon moved closer to Cha Tae-hyun, who was sitting next to him.

"Taehyun-ge".

Cha Tae-hyun, who was squinting and humming an off-key tune while shaking his head, responded with a sound of agreement.

"Ok?"

"The company... we've finally taken it over. But I still feel a bit... unsettled. You've been a boss for so many years, managing a company and artists... you must have a knack for it. Do you have any... secrets? Or the most important rule? Teach me."

"Good question! My experience and lessons learned from starting and maintaining a business could fill a book!"

Upon hearing this, Cha Tae-hyun immediately put his arm around Kang Jae-hoon's shoulder and held up two fingers:
"First and foremost, and this is the golden rule: Never be friends with your employees! Boundaries! Always maintain boundaries!"

"Once you become friends, it's hard to set rules! Saying the wrong thing at work feels awkward, and you can't bring yourself to punish someone when it's time to do so! Blurring the lines between public and private matters is a big no-no!"

As if to prove how profound his words were, he had barely finished speaking—

Ta-da! ...
Cha Tae-hyun's phone, which was on the table, started vibrating wildly.

Everyone's attention was drawn to the screen, which displayed the caller's name and a warm, handsome smiling selfie: Baojian.

Cha Tae-hyun switched modes in a second.

The "strict boss" who was just admonishing Kang Jae-hoon not to be friends with his employees suddenly smiled like a blooming sunflower:

"Aigoo! Our precious sword! Why are you calling me at this hour?"

"Hmm... You're back from Africa? Oh my! You've worked so hard! ...You even brought back some local specialties for me? Aigoo!!! Our Baojian is such a good boy! So thoughtful! So sensible! I've spoiled you for nothing!" The voice was so cloying that it gave everyone else present goosebumps.

"Bring it to the company tomorrow? Great! I'll be waiting for you at the company! Be careful on the road! ...Okay, bye, hang up now, get some rest! Bye!"

hang up the phone.

Cha Tae-hyun turned his head and met Kang Jae-hoon's questioning raised eyebrow.

The old man blushed.

He coughed awkwardly a few times.

"Cough cough cough... Um... a special case!"

“Our Baojian isn’t just any ordinary employee! He’s a special talent! He’s on such a tiring international trip and still remembered to bring me a gift! So heartwarming!”

"This is... an exception! Do you understand what an exception is?!"

"Besides, this isn't called friendship, it's called 'treating someone as one's own child'... uh..."

He couldn't make up the story anymore.

Quickly extend your second finger to pull the crooked building back on track:
"And the second one!"

"Never start a company by partnering with your best friend!"

"Hmm... Just like you are now! Be your own boss, hold the controlling stake, and make the decisions! Then, find a trustworthy and professional manager to help you manage the money, people, and operations! Don't meddle in everything yourself!"

"As for us..."

Cha Tae-hyun patted his chest and then gestured to the group around the table, where Jo In-sung, Lee Kwang-soo, and others were still chatting and laughing in hushed tones.

"Positioning is your asset! Plus, your most sincere friend (who's also a foodie) will help you spend money like crazy when you're rich."

Kang Jae-hoon confirmed, suppressing a laugh:
"So...bro, you mean you guys are just responsible for feeding me and paying for my meals?"

“That’s right! Smart!” Cha Tae-hyun slammed his hand on the table with a confident air.

"Brilliant!" Lee Kwang-soo and Kim Woo-bin immediately seconded.

Jo In-sung then elegantly raised his glass:

"Cheers to our duty—to eat and help you spend your money!"

"Hahaha! Cheers!"

The private room was once again filled with cheerful and hearty laughter.

The hustle and bustle of the barbecue restaurant and the warm, joyful feeling brought by alcohol gradually faded away.

early morning.

The neon lights in Gangnam District also seemed somewhat weary.

The van finally took Kang Jae-hoon back to his residence in Seongsu-dong.

The commotion completely subsided.

He was left alone in the vast space.

This contrasts sharply with the lively atmosphere at the banquet just now.

He watched the taillights blend into the chilly early morning night before turning and going inside.

The smell of barbecue was still strong on him.

But he was wide awake.

I washed my face with cold water.

I walked to the desk.

pat.

The desk lamp was turned on.

The soft, warm yellow light instantly created a haven for thinkers, dispelling the slight silence of the early morning.

He sat down.

My mind was still in a state of alternating excitement, tipsiness, and strange clarity.

After the immense joy, a heavy sense of responsibility and a vision for the future began to take over my mind.

MUSE has already been acquired.

Now is... a new beginning.

The first thing to do is change the name.

Shed the old symbols and brand new mark.

This name...

What should we call it?

It represents a new beginning.

It represents embracing the past and starting anew.

It represents countless wonderful moments to be created in the future...

Kang Jae-hoon rubbed his forehead.

My fingers tapped the table unconsciously.

Various thoughts popped into my head.

Excitement, ambition, and anticipation intertwined.

"In the Xun Empire?"

He laughed as soon as he read it aloud.

Too good!
It's like a gangster movie base that teenage kids fantasize about.

If I take it out to show people tomorrow, won't I be laughed at by the entire Chungmuro ​​area?

"Dream Pictures?"

No!

Too ordinary!
The streets are filled with "dreams," which are completely unrecognizable and incredibly tacky.

"Peak Manufacturing... Damn! Doesn't that mean they're making Peak Stoves?!"

veto!

All rejected!

Kang Jae-hoon scratched his hair in frustration and opened a drawer in his desk, trying to distract himself by rummaging through some things.

My gaze swept over the mess of pens, notebooks, and documents...

It suddenly stopped.

Deep inside the drawer.

A fine Montblanc classic fountain pen lies quietly.

Memories were instantly illuminated.

A precious birthday gift in 2013.

He reached out and took it out.

The cool pen body rubbed against my palm.

Feeling its weighty smoothness and the subtle marks of time, my gaze fell upon the engraved characters:

【To the next scene——From KK】

Krystal Jung's cool yet slightly awkward voice seemed to travel through time and space, resonating in my ears:

"Gift."

"Or did you think it was Krystal and Kang's?"

"To the next scene"

Kang Jae-hoon's fingers repeatedly stroked the almost forgotten English inscription, murmuring it aloud.

Under the light.

These words seemed to have been given life.

A sudden burst of intense light erupted amidst alcohol, excitement, and boundless anticipation for the future.

"Next Scene"

A surge of insight, like an electric current, swept through my entire body.

that's it!
A perfect fit!
Saying goodbye to being just an actor, Kang Jae-hoon embarks on a brand new stage as a producer, manager, and controller of a film and television company—Next Scene!

His company is dedicated to discovering, colliding, refining, and presenting every exciting "next scene"—The Next Scene!

The starting point of endless possibilities—Next Scene!

In an instant, the troubles vanished.

A flash of inspiration ignited, crystal clear.

Kang Jae-hoon suddenly grabbed another cell phone from the table.

The movements were so fast that they almost left afterimages.

Unlock.

I found Kim Dae-won's name. (He has already changed the note to "Director Kim")
Press the call button.

"Dududu-"

"Director Kim! I've decided on a new name for the company! It'll be Next Scene Film Limited! Great name, right? It translates to 'Next Scene Film Limited'! The English abbreviation is NSC!"

There was silence on the other end of the phone for two seconds.

It seems that Kim Dae-won is trying to start up and understand the name.

"...The name...the name is good, it's very meaningful, President-nim..."

"But... President-nim... look at the time! It's two in the morning..."

Kang Jae-hoon's overflowing desire to confide and share was instantly extinguished by this bucket of cold water from reality.

I turned my head to look at the dark and silent night outside the window, and then looked at the fountain pen on the table, which was gleaming faintly under the lamplight and had just brought me inspiration.

A smile tinged with apology welled up inside me.

"This is the name."

"Tomorrow... no, a few hours from now, please coordinate a change with the company."

"Thanks for your hard work……"

"...You can go back to sleep."

Done.

Before Jin Dayuan could launch into a more plaintive accusation, the call was abruptly ended.

……

The day after tomorrow.

early morning.

The warm sunlight shone generously on the office building in Gangnam District.

The workers were quick and efficient.

With the soft sounds of machinery and concise instructions, the old bronze plaque bearing the weight of history—"Muse Production"—was carefully removed.

then.

Embraced by the morning light, a huge sign with sleek, modern lines and a material exuding a calm, metallic luster was steadily hung up.

Sunlight shines on the metal surface, instantly refracting into a dazzling light.

The brand-new company name gleamed in the sunlight:

Next Scene Film Limited
Yijing Film Industry
Kang Jae-hoon and Kim Dae-won stood side by side on the street below.

Both of them tilted their heads slightly upwards.

Looking at the new signboard gleaming in the sunlight and the "Next Scene" signifying a fresh start.

The surrounding area is filled with the hurried and noisy flow of people and vehicles on a weekday morning.

But this small space seemed to have been instantly muted.

Kang Jae-hoon felt a heavy weight filling his chest—

A sense of being down-to-earth and bearing a heavy sense of responsibility is intertwined.

Jin Dayuan murmured:

"President...we...really have our own company now..."

This sentence contains so much.

From the hardships of playing minor roles to having a foothold today, the journey has been intertwined with the sense of accomplishment.

Kang Jae-hoon naturally raised his hand and put it around Kim Dae-won's shoulder.

The new president began his first earnest "pie in the sky" speech:
"Yes, Director Kim."

"Our dreams have taken flight, but the cost of food on the ground... From now on, saving money will be our top priority!"

"So... to reward you for your hard work and contributions during this time..."

"...I'll allow you to have instant noodles tonight—"

Jin Dayuan tilted his head slightly, casting an expectant look at him.

In the pause before answers like "add meat" or "double portion" were about to emerge—

"Add an egg!"

Kang Jae-hoon announced this "generous" reward with a resounding voice.

Jin Dayuan: "..."

Seeing his boss's "meticulous" expression, he remained silent for two seconds before uttering a few words:

"...President, we just spent seven billion two days ago."

Kang Jae-hoon's smile froze for a moment, then he burst into even louder laughter, tightening his grip on Kim Dae-won's arm.

"Hey! It's precisely because we spent seven billion that we need to be even more frugal now! Let's go, Director Kim. Increasing revenue and reducing expenditure is a long and arduous task. Let's start by finding out which convenience store is having a discount on ham sausages?"

The two turned around, chatting and laughing.

I entered the building with a brand-new sign.

(End of this chapter)