Peninsula: I'm the Top Streamer

Chapter 653 Breakup Ends Filming, Fish Show Alliance?

Turning off his phone, Kwon Seonhyuk took a deep breath and tried to concentrate on filming "Dark Glory".

The days on set flew by as I studied the script, pondered my character, and rehearsed my scenes.

As time went by, the film "Determination to Break Up" also came to the end of its theatrical run in South Korea.

After the film's run ended, the reactions continued to be mixed and settled.

With the end of its theatrical run, "Decision to Break Up" has officially concluded its theatrical journey in South Korea.

Ultimately, the cumulative number of moviegoers stabilized at around 200 million. This achievement successfully surpassed the break-even point of 130 million viewers, ensuring a basic return on investment.

As a slow-paced, somber art-house suspense film, achieving this number, especially far exceeding the break-even point, is quite remarkable. It aligns with its "high-class" positioning as a Cannes competition film and also confirms the box office appeal of director Park Chan-wook and stars Tang Wei and Park Hae-il.

The film did not pursue high box office numbers like typical popcorn movies; its artistic value translated into relatively stable market performance.

As an art film with a clear positioning, a good return on investment, and an outstanding international reputation, "The Decision to Break Up" has proven its success in a specific field and has sparked long-term controversy and attention among ordinary audiences after its theatrical run.

It is not a commercial film that caters to popular tastes, but it has undoubtedly become one of the most talked-about and artistically accomplished works in the Korean film industry that year. Its influence will continue to be discussed in various film festivals, award seasons and art-house cinemas after it leaves theaters.

As a Cannes competition film, it was subsequently invited to be screened at several other A-list international film festivals.

Although Kwon Heon-hyuk had few scenes, his appearance was described as "stunning" by the audience, which allowed his name and face to appear repeatedly at these high-profile international events, greatly enhancing his recognition in the global film industry and among high-end audiences.

Furthermore, his collaboration with renowned director Park Chan-wook, and the film's designation as an "Artistic Masterpiece of the Year," have gilded Kwon Hyun-hyuk's resume with an accolade of "artistic quality" and "international recognition." This distinguishes him from his previous television drama achievements and broadens his professional horizons.

It could even be said that if his representative works were listed in an encyclopedia, "The Determination to Break Up" would be at the top, surpassing most of his previous works.

The film's artistic merit and awards season buzz have created favorable conditions for him to secure a Best Supporting Actor nomination at a major South Korean film award. Even if he doesn't win, a nomination for a prestigious film award is a significant honor in itself.

The awards should be distributed evenly. Won Se-go Kyung-pyo's mediocre performance earned him a Best Supporting Actor nomination, so with his outstanding performance, getting a nomination is a piece of cake.

One of the key comments from ordinary viewers was that "Kwon Heonhyuk was stunning from the moment he appeared," which became a topic of discussion on social media.

This brief but intense sense of amazement reinforced his image as a professional actor in the eyes of the audience, proving his ability to create characters within a limited space.

Completing a performance under the strict guidance of a renowned director and within the atmosphere of an art film, and receiving positive reviews, can further solidify his professional standing in the industry and attract the attention of more directors and producers seeking high-quality performances.

This was the icing on the cake for him.

For the high-end luxury brands associated with him, participating in a work that has gained recognition at Cannes, is vying for an Oscar, and has influence in the high-end art world is itself highly symbolic.

Luxury brands love to project an image of sophistication, and brand ambassadors elevate their own image—it's a perfect match.

This "style" is crucial for maintaining and enhancing its commercial value, which reinforces the perception that it brings a huge boost to the brand image.

By starring in "The Decision to Break Up," Kwon Heon-hyuk has successfully added new identities to his existing labels such as "Baeksang Arts Awards Best Actor" and "Male Lead in a Popular Streaming Drama," as well as "International Art Film Collaborator" and "Member of a Renowned Director's Work," which powerfully demonstrates the diversity of his acting style and his ability to handle roles of different genres and scales.

This successful collaboration will increase Kwon Hyun-hyuk's chances of working with renowned directors and big-budget film projects both domestically and internationally. His resume will no longer be limited to television dramas and popular web series, but will now include a more substantial international art film resume.

A resume needs to be embellished with something fancy, even if it's all fluff and no substance; you'd starve to death if you relied on it.

Art film enthusiasts, Park Chan-wook fans, and those interested in in-depth performance analysis will come to know Kwon Heon-hyuk because of this film, bringing him a new group of loyal fans who appreciate his artistic value and enriching his fan base.

In summary, although Kwon Heonhyuk had a small role in "Determination to Break Up," his precise performance and high-intensity exposure on international art platforms brought him actual benefits far exceeding the size of the role.

This included a leap in international reputation, potential nominations for major awards, a deepening of his professional image, and the consolidation and enhancement of his commercial value. It also opened the door to higher-end film projects for him and laid the foundation for a broader career as an actor.

Overall, there's nothing wrong with it.

Although Kwon Hyun-hyuk's meticulously planned private party was intended to be low-key, it was like a pebble thrown into still water, and the ripples inevitably spread.

The trigger wasn't the star-studded idols of the night, but rather a group of relatively low-key guests who inadvertently shared photos of the gathering.

First, there's the private Instagram account of one of the employees of a high-end luxury brand. She uploaded several photos of herself with friends on a terrace area, with the iconic warm yellow string lights and meticulously arranged green wall clearly visible in the background. The blurred but highly recognizable city skyline in the distance offers a unique perspective of the Itaewon-Hannam-dong area.

The photo was intended to share a friendship, with a lighthearted caption: "Having a great chat~". Initially, it did not attract widespread attention.

Following that, a South Korean producer from Netflix posted a casual photo on his semi-public social media account, which is mostly followed by industry insiders, in front of the buffet table in the main hall of the party, focusing on the exquisite food.

However, sharp-eyed netizens immediately noticed the blurred but exceptionally ornate crystal chandelier in the lower left corner of the photo, as well as the similarity between several other photos.

Clues, when pieced together, reveal that uncovering someone's information is not difficult; there are always many people willing to do so.

At first, it was just speculation within a small circle, and not many people really cared. The person who posted this information wasn't exactly a high-profile individual either.

"Wow, this party venue looks amazing! I wonder whose it is?"

"The organizer must be very well-funded to have food and decorations of this caliber."

The blame has not yet been placed on Quan Xuanhe.

If the party gets discovered, so be it; it's not something to be ashamed of.

Just as the buzz surrounding the Itaewon party was beginning to ripple online, another set of photos sparked an even bigger uproar within hours.

In Cheongdam-dong, Seoul, there is a Western-style restaurant with a unique and refreshing style, with round tables spaced close together.

Jisoo and Tzuyu did not choose the absolute privacy of a private room, but instead sat in a semi-open scenic spot with huge floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking passersby.

The two seemed to have shed their professional demeanor, appearing relaxed and chatting and laughing.

Kim Jisoo was wearing a simple off-white top, her long black hair flowing smoothly over her shoulders. She was holding a glass of red wine, a gentle smile on her lips, as if she were listening attentively.

Across from her, Chou Tzu-yu wore a dark green T-shirt, which made her skin appear even whiter. She leaned forward slightly, talking to Kim Ji-soo, with a rare relaxed and even slightly mischievous smile on her face.

The exquisite dishes on the table were almost all eaten, and the atmosphere was as harmonious as that of close girlfriends.

They didn't deliberately wear masks and sunglasses; they simply chose a relatively quiet time and weren't overly wary of the diners around them.

After all, celebrities are frequently seen in South Korea, so diners are used to it. They might glance at rare big names, but it doesn't usually cause any trouble. But this time was different. A young female diner sitting in a booth not far away could hardly contain her excitement after seeing the two people sit down and confirming their identities.

This happens to be someone who follows K-pop.

She first casually took photos of the dishes with her phone, while the camera subtly panned towards the two female celebrities who had been the subject of much discussion.

When she captured the moment when the two were smiling at each other, she finally couldn't resist. Despite her friend's whispered warning that "it'll be bad if we get caught," she still snapped a few more pictures of Jisoo and Tzuyu with her heart racing.

Having just taken the photos, he couldn't wait to upload those slightly crooked but still clearly recognizable photos to his social media account.

The accompanying text was full of excitement.

[I'm going crazy! I bumped into BLACKPINK's Jisoo and TWICE's Tzuyu in Cheongdam-dong!!! They were eating together!!! My two goddesses were in the same frame!!!]
[She's breathtakingly beautiful in person!! (heart)(heart)(heart)]

Despite having few followers, this post, tagged with #KimJisoo #Tzuyu #Encounter #Date, caused a huge stir on various social media platforms and fan forums, like a pebble thrown into a lake.

Cross-group friendships? This is the most hotly debated point.

BLACKPINK and TWICE are both top girl groups, but it is rare for the members to have such a private, unofficial, one-on-one meeting.

Fans were both surprised and curious.

"Oh my god! Ji Su and Zi Yu are actually friends in private?!"

"When did their relationship become so good? I've never heard of that before!"

"Two stunningly beautiful mountains in the same frame, a visual feast!"

"A dream collaboration! I really want to know what they talked about?"

Let's set aside the online discussions for now and get back to the main topic.

Jisoo sipped her red wine, her gaze fixed on Tzuyu across from her, who was intently enjoying her dessert. The restaurant's soft music and the cityscape outside the window created a soothing ambiance.

“Speaking of which,” Kim Jisoo put down her glass, her tone carrying just the right amount of curiosity, like casual conversation between friends.

"At the party that day... it seemed like you and Miyeon weren't talking much?" She paused, not saying "they didn't get along," but her intention was clear.

Chou Tzu-yu paused for a moment, her expression remaining calm. She didn't look up immediately, but simply tapped the plate lightly with the edge of her fork, making a soft sound.

“Hmm,” she responded calmly. “We don’t talk much in private, and we’re not very close. Maybe… we just don’t click.” The reason was ordinary and vague, yet it revealed a deep sense of estrangement.

There's nothing to deny about that, and there's nothing to maintain a facade of friendliness.

This answer was clearly within Kim Jisoo's expectations. She didn't show surprise; instead, as if she had received some kind of confirmation, the corners of her mouth naturally turned up, forming a knowing yet slightly helpless smile.

"Ah..." She nodded gently, her eyes showing understanding.

"It was a bit of a surprise, but not entirely a surprise."

She recalled Chou Tzu-yu's quiet attention to Kwon Hyun-hyuk at the party, and the occasional scrutinizing glances Cho Mi-yeon gave him, and a sense of confirmation arose within her.

She did not directly criticize Cho Mi-yeon, but this sense of agreement, which was "not entirely accidental," clearly conveyed her stance.

Her opinion of Cho Mi-yeon is at least no more positive than that of Chou Tzu-yu.

“So you see,” Kim Jisoo leaned forward slightly, picked up her wine glass and raised it towards Tzuyu, her smile bright, honest, and cheerful.

“It’s so nice of us to chat like this. The past is the past.” She was referring to both her and Kwon Hyun-hyuk’s past, as well as the unpleasantness that lingered in their hearts.

After all, Kim Jisoo indirectly caused her breakup with Kwon Heonhyuk, didn't she?
But that was two years ago, it's all in the past now, and there wasn't any direct conflict between them, so there's nothing to be hostile about.

“Since we both have some special connection with him now,” she said tactfully but precisely, “why don’t we get along well and be good friends? I feel much more comfortable that way.”

Kim Jisoo has always thought that Chou Tzuyu is a girl with a good personality. Compared to the backstabbing Cho Miyeon, she really prefers to be friends with Chou Tzuyu.

Chou Tzu-yu looked up and met Kim Ji-soo's sincere gaze.

Those clear eyes held no aggression at that moment, only a friendly and benevolent gaze.

A faint but genuine smile appeared on Chou Tzu-yu's lips. "Mmm,"

She nodded again, this time more forcefully, her eyes bright, "I also feel that I get along well with Unnie."

She picked up her drink and gestured slightly in Kim Jisoo's direction.

She thought the same thing.

There were no tense declarations at the dinner table, only little secrets shared among friends and a magnanimous understanding of complex interpersonal relationships.

They tacitly accepted the unique bond that Kwon Heonhyuk had created and decided to cherish this unexpected friendship built on a special foundation.

The aroma of dessert filled the air, and the relaxed atmosphere remained.

Kwon Hyun-hyuk, who was far away on set, sneezed, then sniffed, feeling a bit dizzy.

what happened?

Did you catch a cold while sleeping these past few nights?

At this moment, Kwon Hyun-hyuk was unaware that Kim Ji-soo and Chou Tzu-yu had formed a friendship and reached a consensus and cooperation in some sense.

He took a sip of coffee, then lay down on the recliner somewhat weakly, and began to carefully examine the script.

But what is meant to come will come.

His phone kept vibrating, so he took it out and looked at it.

(End of this chapter)